Marlow Film Studios developers announce project will go to appeal

Developers behind plans for a multi-million pound film studio near Marlow have announced they are appealing a council decision to refuse planning permission.

Marlow Film Studios – proposed for greenbelt land in Little Marlow – was rejected by Buckinghamshire Council’s Strategic Sites Committee after a marathon six-hour meeting in May.

In the aftermath, studios CEO Robert Laycock reacted to the ‘disappointing’ decision by saying developers were ‘considering the next steps’.

And in a statement this week, developers confirmed Marlow Film Studios is set to go to appeal.

“In spite of the council's decision to refuse our application, we remain confident of the strength of our case, and of the benefits that our investment will bring to the local community and the wider national economy,” they said.

Committee councillors who voted against the studios cited concerns over worsening traffic and loss of green space, when they refused Marlow Film Studios permission.

Campaigners including Marlow residents and greenbelt advocates were also vocal in their opposition at the meeting.

Concerns raised included doubts cast over the proposed economic benefits at a time when – the studios’ opposers considered – the film industry was in a slump.

Sam Kershaw of Save Marlow’s Greenbelt (SMG), who spoke at the May meeting, responded to the developers’ decision.

He said: “We [SMG] are surprised that the developers have decided to appeal given the strength of the refusal by Bucks Council and their inability to mitigate the significant harm that the studio would cause.

“However, we will continue to fight against it and look forward to participating in the inquiry.”

But film studios executives have doubled down on their view the project will help the UK film industry and wider economy, as well as provide opportunities for young people.

In the statement, they said Marlow Film Studios would bring ‘vital local traffic infrastructure’ and ‘provide significant improvements to the local community’.

Developers previously said they plan to invest more than £20million to help create two new bus routes and fund new walking paths between Marlow and Bourne End.

The statement also said the campus will provide ‘the highest quality of advanced, tailor-made facilities’ to keep the UK film industry at the ‘forefront’ of the global movie business.

The statement added: “The investment presents a significant opportunity to utilise and substantially improve a despoiled former landfill site, making good use of a site that is presently unusable for domestic buildings or agriculture.

“Our hope is to build an institution of global standing for the British film industry that Marlow will be proud of.”

A statement of case will be submitted by developers to the Planning Inspectorate, which will decide a date and location for any inquiry.