The planning application to build a new 89-acre film studio on the outskirts of Marlow has received 78 written objections from local residents in just 20 days since its publication.
The application was verified by Buckinghamshire Council and made available for public scrutiny on 22nd June.
Most of the comments centre around concerns for wildlife on the protected greenbelt land and the increase in traffic, with the latter by far the most numerous.
One objector wrote: “My main concern is the congestion for those road users leaving the Marlow by-pass travelling in both directions, to gain access onto the roundabout above the flyover.”
Another added: “Marlow Town centre, Bisham Roundabout and Handy Cross roundabout, already suffer from high volumes of traffic at peak hours with long tailbacks. The local area has witnessed the effects that RTA's and breakdowns have on traffic tailbacks. Handy Cross roundabout is already at capacity.”
Marlow Film Studios provided the following statement: "There are a number of measures proposed that will deliver a first-class service for local residents as well as reduce private car use to the site. Due to the nature of film industry hours, travel around the site is likely to be outside of traditional rush hour times and will be managed to limit traffic at key times.
“In addition, we have proposed two new public bus services, from Maidenhead and the Elizabeth Line to High Wycombe, and a hopper service around Marlow and Marlow Bottom, extending to Little Marlow and Bourne End. This service means that residents who wish to switch to more sustainable travel will be able to do so reliably for either long or short journeys. The proposal will also provide good cycle access and improve cycling for the wider community.
"We look forward to our many supporters sharing their views, as Marlow Film Studios will bring more than 4,000 new jobs to the local area and will establish a new Culture and Skills Academy to train the next generation of talent and generate increased prosperity for the local economy."
Save Marlow’s Greenbelt, set up to campaign against the studio’s construction, told us: “This plan has no advantage for the communities who live here. It would bring nothing but traffic chaos and disruption to local people's lives,” adding, “running a bus service won’t force the 2,000 daily studio workers to leave their cars at home.”
The planning documents, all 401 of them, can be found here.
Marlow Film Studios are hosting a series of ‘drop-in’ sessions in Marlow library over the next month for the public to ask questions.
The dates for the Marlow Film Studios drop-ins are:
• Thursday 14th July 12pm – 3pm
• Saturday 23rd July 10am – 1pm
• Tuesday 26th July 12pm – 3pm
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/
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