Film studio will 'scar the landscape' say protesters, as developers submit plans

Plans for a proposed new film studio in Marlow that were submitted this week have been labelled ‘unacceptable’ by protesters in the town, who vow to fight the project.

Wildlife and environmental campaign group, Save Marlow’s Greenbelt, have rallied to oppose the development of the film studio, insisting it will cause traffic chaos and harm the environment without bringing the benefits claimed by the developers.

Save Marlow’s Greenbelt say they already have hundreds of people behind their work to resist development of the 89-acre studio, which plans show would be entirely on protected greenbelt land around Marlow and Little Marlow, on the Westhorpe roundabout off the A404.

On their website, Marlow Film Studios, who are proposing the development, claim their project will “turn neglected land into one of the world’s most important creative workspaces,” and promise to create 5,000 new jobs.

However, detractors are doubtful much of these benefits will be seen in Marlow and believe the negative consequences of the film studio far outweigh them.

Richard Sherman, Chair of Save Marlow’s Greenbelt, told us: “The studio location is Greenbelt, it is in The Little Marlow Lakes Country Park and adjacent to the Area of Natural Beauty (AONB). 23m high warehouse type buildings, whether they are greenwashed or not, are simply not acceptable in that environment.

 “The Westhorpe interchange on the A404, which is already over capacity, will grind to a halt, making local travel unbearable.

“Concreting over 89 acres, will also increase the local flood risk and damage the environment and wildlife habitats that so many Marlovians regularly enjoy.

 “This huge development will scar the landscape and be visible from much of Marlow, Little Marlow, Flackwell Heath and Cookham Dean.”

[PICTURE: Location of proposed new studio on outskirts of Marlow]

Greenbelt land exists to, as the government puts it, “safeguard the countryside from encroachment,” adding that it “attaches great importance to Green Belts.”

Regarding building on greenbelt land, the government further states: “Once established, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified.”

Verity West, who runs the charity Wild Marlow, says: “The land currently under threat between Marlow and Little Marlow is a rich mixed wildlife habitat including lakes, grassland, woodland and hedgerows.

“Many species require a territory or vegetation with specific conditions to thrive. When these are removed the creatures can no longer exist.

“The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We must do everything we can to stop the decline, by safeguarding these precious habitats.”

In a visit to the area of the proposed development last year, MP for Beaconsfield Joy Morrissey posed with Ms West and the Save Marlow’s Greenbelt banner, stating: “The residents and visitors of the Marlow area, are so lucky to have such beautiful natural spaces on their doorstep, it’s so important that we come together to ensure they are managed correctly and protected for future generations.”

[PICTURE: Verity West with MP Joy Morrissey]

Robert Laycock, CEO of Marlow Film Studios, provided the following statement: "Our ambition is not only to provide a best-in-class, sustainable film studio on the site of the former gravel pits to the side of the A404 Westhorpe junction at Little Marlow, which will attract global investment and prosperity to the area and deliver up to 4180 jobs and a traineeship scheme linked to local schools and colleges, but also to support the UK's burgeoning film industry and cement the county's place as the home of high-end film & TV production in the UK.

"The planning application provides details of significant cultural and transport benefits to the local community and Buckinghamshire, including a new transport hub, a direct and half-hourly bus between Maidenhead and High Wycombe and a new half hourly hopper service around Marlow, Little Marlow and Bourne End.

There are plans for a recreational network of cycle routes and pedestrian pathways, in addition to enhancements to the existing public right of way. There will be a new community building for recreational use, and a Culture and Skills Academy hub where education and training events and a cultural programme will be hosted."

The planning application will now be considered by the planning authority and it is likely to be many months before a decision is made.

You can find out more about the proposed plans here: https://www.marlow.film/

You can find out more about Save Marlow’s Greenbelt here: https://savemarlowsgreenbelt.org/

[PICTURE: Marlow's greenbelt]