Film studio will be a positive for community

I have lived near to and loved Marlow my entire life. In the many thousands of conversations with this community, the positive quality of the life and the environment that Marlow benefits from has shone through.

I’ve worked in the film industry since I left school, and my film-making career has provided a rare chance to bring a hugely beneficial project here. We have drawn widespread support from those who understand the art and culture of making films and the potential of the creative economy.

Planning processes always generate different views, but I do think it’s important that the community of Marlow, Little Marlow and others make up their minds on the basis of evidence, rather than incorrect or misleading information.

The Marlow Film Studios application shows the detailed and precise plans of how we will actually build a bespoke film-making campus. This is not an outline application, so the full details are published.

The designs are by world-leading architects Wilkinson Eyre. We have been in close consultation with the council and local communities over a considerable time and the full plans and evidence submitted will be the basis for the decision.

The site we own is made-up ground that was formerly an aggregate quarry. It contains a deep volume of landfill so is unsuitable for food production or farming.

Greenbelt policy is a broad-brush approach that does not discriminate between pristine, untouched land and former waste disposal sites that are manmade. Local and national policy allows development in the greenbelt in special circumstances.

As landowners, we control approximately 150 acres. Of this, our planning application shows that more than half (89 acres) will be used for habitat creation and enhancement,

public access, cycle routes, paths and educational and community use.

The buildings for the Studio all sit closest to the A404 and A4155, in an elegantly landscaped campus occupying less than 50 acres, with only the Skills and Culture and Community buildings outside this area as part of the recreation, education and community facilities.

The assertions that this project occupies other areas or can be compared to Wembley or Terminal 5 are demonstrably false.

We are not increasing flooding or water quality risks, and we have provided full evidence of how we will improve the current habitats and ecology of the area.

When we have built our campus, it will still be subject to the restrictions that govern greenbelt, so it cannot be changed into anything else.

On transport, the Westhorpe roundabout will be upgraded to operate more safely and effectively.

We are providing two new public bus services, including a direct link to the Elizabeth Line.

Provision of onsite parking and the legal

ability to insist that people not come to work by car means we will not add to local parking problems.

Beyond the main campus, we are creating a culture and education centre that will support the training of young film-makers.

Training places for local residents will be prioritised, it will be a space where the community can engage in the film craft and creativity that is the central purpose of the project.

We are creating 2,000 new jobs and careers in the creative sector, and 2,000 jobs in the wider economy. This matters.

Local investment matters and will make local services more affordable. It will help keep people in the area, particularly the young, rather than forcing them to move away.

Marlow Film Studios will be at the heart of the local creative sector and play an important part and positive role in the lives of the local community.