Plans for a film studio complex in Wales received a boost yesterday, when the Welsh parliament scrapped its main objection to the project.

Based in the south Wales valleys, the 350-acre development - called Dragon International Studios - is hoping to be built on a former opencast coal site near Bridgend. The scheme would include a film studio, movie-based leisure attractions and a film academy.

The Welsh studio is one of many currently at planning or construction stage throughout the UK - at least seven are thought to be currently at planning stage. Last month, construction began in St Agnes, Cornwall, on the construction of a $9m (£5.76m) film studio complex.

Many of the fledgling studios are hoping to cash in on a constant stream of local and international productions wanting to shoot in the UK, lured in by government tax breaks and regional funding cash.

A consortium called JV Partnership is spearheading the Welsh development, which reportedly has Lord Attenborough on board as an advisor. A spokesman for the project declined to provide full details of the backers or its exact budget. Press reports put its budget at the $471m (£300m) mark.

The Welsh Assembly had blocked the project because of the need for a new junction on the M4 motorway. But yesterday, they gave the greenlight for the motorway junction. It is now up to local planning authorities to make a final decision about whether the complex gets the go-ahead.

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan commented: "The Llanilid film studio is a unique development and I am very pleased we have been able to find a way forward which paves the way for this major investment to become reality."

The move comes just after the Snowdonia region of Wales hosted a portion of the Tomb Raider 2 shoot.