Author: SMG

Birmingham is set to become a significant center for premier television and film production with the establishment of ‘Digbeth Loc. Studios,’ a new high-profile studio complex in the Digbeth area. The studios have already attracted commitments from various acclaimed productions. The complex will be located within walking distance of Birmingham’s train stations, and will conserve the unique characteristics and heritage of Birmingham’s canalside buildings.

In other words, there is apparently a sound business case for a 80,000 sq ft studio, away from the fabled “West London cluster”, which tries to blend in with its surroundings, using existing buildings.

We clearly do not need a new large complex built on Greenbelt to support the British tv and film industry. Don’t believe the shiny PR hype!

The BBC reported that high levels of phosphates, nitrates and harmful bacteria were detected in the Thames, just upstream from Marlow, in Henley in June 2023, by environmental charity River Action. Phosphate and nitrate testing results indicate that the River Thames at Henley is excessively nutrient enriched and in a very poor ecological condition. The levels of E. coli recorded meant that the water in Henley would have posed a significant health risk to all water users, especially swimmers.

This was highlighted online by local naturalist Steve Backshall, when he accompanied River Action on the stretch of the river he uses regularly with his family.

If this is already the case in Henley today, what will the effect of 4,000 more people at the proposed Marlow film studio by for a local creaking Thames Water sewage treatment works and network?

The once picturesque view of rolling meadows and trees has been ruined by the 50ft-high structure.

Residents say the developer ‘lied from day one’ about the size of the building. They also claim to have ‘grave concern’ over the noise, air and light pollution caused by construction.

“There were just enormous bangs at early hours. We’ve been told it’ll be 24 hours a day.” The pensioner, alleging the ‘width of the warehouse has trebled in size’, added that parking is also an issue.

Officials have disregarded the consequences.

Are these soundbites from the future with an approved plan for Marlow Film Studios? Not quite, but it is the reality hitting people in Redditch.

Don’t let it happen to us – object now even if you have already done so.

The reality of a dwindling appetite for large-scale film studios is becoming a reality: Sunset Studios have put the construction of their £600 million film studio on hold. The delay is attributed to a review of the project in “light of cost inflation and rising interest rates”. The complex, originally planned to be a two-year construction project, includes multiple sound stages and workshops. Groundworks have been completed, but the main construction has not yet begun.

Let’s not forget that this complex is smaller than the proposed Marlow Film Studios and that they have a big name locked in. If they can’t make ends meet… This confirms our analysis of likely market saturation back in 2022 and Buckinghamshire Council’s independent study questioning the need for this size studio.

We don’t need such a large film studio complex and certainly not on Greenbelt. Please continue to object, even if you have already done so.

The renewed Transport Assessment submitted by Guernsey-registered Dido Property Limited to Buckinghamshire Planning is flawed and insufficient, according to a study by independent consultants Motion, commissioned by Save Marlow’s Greenbelt.

The assessment focuses on pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle access, as well as proposed measures to mitigate transport network impacts. Motion confirms that pedestrian routes between the site and Marlow need to cross a substandard road, without any proposed enhancements.

They highlight narrow, poorly lit paths, lacking step-free access, and no controlled crossings, posing risks. Similarly, the cycle access proposals offer no improvements to the existing inadequate infrastructure. Motion states that few functional cycling journeys would occur due to these deficiencies.

Vehicular access, including 4,000 additional cars, raises concerns about congestion, lack of public transport, and inadequate analysis of impact on existing roads. Motion concludes that the current proposals would
result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety and overall that the application site is “unsustainable in transportation terms thereby failing to meet the requirements of paragraphs 105 and 110 (a) of the NPPF”.

This is a traffic disaster waiting to happen. You can still object, even if you have already done so.

Guernsey-registered Dido Property Limited claim to have “improved” their ecological benefits, through the acquisition of more land near the site, which they intend to convert.

Let’s not forget the damning report by Buckinghamshire’s ecologist, which has been given a more detailed refresh recently:

• The baseline data on which the biodiversity net-gain calculations are made, is inaccurate, inconsistent and poorly justified, and therefore the calculation is wrong.
• The mandatory mitigation hierarchy has not been followed, as offsetting, which should only be used as a last resort, has been adopted without exhausting on-site mitigation.
• One of the impacted watercourses, has been incorrectly categorised and therefore not considered appropriately in the mitigation and net-gain calculations.
• The solar panel covered green roofs will not be suitable mitigation for the loss of ground nesting bird habitat.
• The conversion of arable to biodiversity rich pasture of the newly acquired field, will not be suitable mitigation for the loss of 90 acres of rich wildlife habitat, supporting multiple priority and protected species.

The very expensive work of one of the ‘top’ ecology firms, is being called into question and many of the surveys need re-doing to obtain accurate data. Please continue to object, even if you have already done so.

Thank you to everyone who has already participated and recorded their observations of wildlife in the Marlow Little Lakes Country Park. We have already collected over 400 observations and 216 different species: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/little-marlow-lakes-country-park

Recent observations include Tawny Owl, a Glow-worm and Pyramidal Orchid. Please keep them coming!

The UK government recently announced plans to support more regional creative cluster with up to £50 million in funding. Buckinghamshire Council expressed its enthusiasm, based on the existing Pinewood Studios in Iver and the approved Wycombe Film Studios.

Obviously, Guernsey-registered Dido Property Limited was quick to grasp the opportunity as a sign of approval for their megalomaniac plans to build on Marlow’s Greenbelt.

An investment in the creative industries across the United Kingdom does not mean it should be at the expense of Greenbelt. Existing film studios can be expanded or brownfield sites can be used. A great example of this, is Cube Studio in Holyport, created in an existing unit which has been re-purposed into a commercial studio. Greenbelt is needed by the local community to enjoy nature and to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

All large-scale, major film studios in the UK have forged strong links or secured leases with renowned film production companies. Here are some examples:

• Pinewood Studios (2,156,234 sq ft) – Walt Disney Studios
• Shepperton Studios (1,153,864 sq ft) – Netflix & Amazon Prime Video
• Leavesden (560,700 sq ft) – Warner Bros
• Waltham Cross Studios (470,000 sq ft) – Sunset Studios
• Shinfield Studios (442,000 sq ft) – Walt Disney Studios
• Titanic Studios (423,488 sq ft) – Paramount Pictures
• Elstree Studios (227,644 sq ft) – Sky

What about Marlow Film Studio (659,268 sq ft, as per its planning application)? Literally no-one.

It confirms the analysis by industry experts, commissioned by Buckinghamshire Council, which questions the economic case for the application of such a large complex. It is not needed and definitely not on Greenbelt. You can still object today.

Pinewood Studios have submitted yet another planning application amendment as part of their expansion plans. This time, it is for a 5-storey car park, according to the Bucks Free Press. There will be 1,252 new car parking spaces, 10 motorcycle spaces and 15 covered cycle parking spaces. Even if the latter accommodate multiple bikes, the numbers clearly show how Pinewood expects the vast majority of staff and contractors to commute. Just like they would to any film studio.