CEO Robert Laycock reflects on the Prime Minister’s show of support for Buckinghamshire’s film and TV industry | Marlow Film

CEO Robert Laycock reflects on the Prime Minister’s show of support for Buckinghamshire’s film and TV industry

Dear Editor,

The Prime Minister’s comments this week rightly put a spotlight on Buckinghamshire’s global leadership in the film and TV industry, the strength of local skills and training, the jobs it creates and the opportunities it provides for the next generation.

It’s understandable he cannot comment on individual planning applications – but it was very encouraging to hear him describe how he wants his government ‘to go further to support’ the UK’s creative industries, to ensure ‘the UK remains the number one destination for filmmaking for generations to come.’

We agree with him that the ‘future looks bright’ for film and TV in Buckinghamshire, and Marlow Film Studios are at the forefront of this. Our plans will create thousands of new jobs and a new education and skills centre, investing in skills for the next generation of creative talent and strengthening Buckinghamshire’s status as the home of British filmmaking and its creative economy.

The new world-leading studios on this former gravel quarry and waste disposal site will also include major improvements to local roads and bus services, and a significant package of sustainability measures to improve biodiversity in and around the site. We are looking forward to our planning application returning to the Buckinghamshire Council planning committee in the coming months, with the intention of our local economy being reinforced with much-needed, outstanding, creative working space for generations to come.

Kind regards,
Robert Laycock
CEO of Marlow Film Studios

Entrance Building

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Marlow Film Studios (ref: 22/06443/FULEA).

I am writing in support of the application for Marlow Film Studios, a film studio planned on former landfill next to the A404, within the parish of Little Marlow.

I was really encouraged to read of the latest polling across Bucks showing overwhelming support for the project and for the jobs and economic development that come with it. The opinions of residents across Bucks matters, particularly those who live and work close to the Studio site.

This is a decision that Bucks councillors should be making on behalf our children, and their future. This is a decision about providing them with greater opportunity and wider chances. The next generation urgently need opportunities for careers that keep them within Bucks and allow our towns and villages to flourish as homes for all ages.

Providing sustainable jobs and careers is vital for the long-term prosperity of any community. The growth of the British film industry over recent years has been extraordinary and its future growth is backed by all the political parties. Marlow Film Studios intends to be the future centre for British filmmaking. The fact that we have an industry of this global standing planning to build studios in our county is something we should be proud of. Many of today’s young people want to work in the creative sector.

I am particularly excited at the possibilities it provides for our disadvantaged communities. For local people, the Studios will also be close to one of the more culturally diverse parts of Buckinghamshire. The Studios’ partnerships with institutions such as Buckinghamshire College Group will provide access points to the creative economy for an under-represented diverse community as part of Wycombe’s regeneration challenge.

I understand that all new developments present challenges. But I believe that considerable efforts are being made to manage these. I am pleased to note the financing of the road traffic improvements on the Westhorpe roundabout, the provision of new bus routes, the care being put into providing accessible parkland for residents and a biodiverse environment.

The Studios are being built on a former gravel pit, on land that is no longer suitable for agriculture use. I understand that any decision on Green Belt land needs to illustrate clear benefits to the community that outweigh the impact. Overall, I believe the strong benefits robustly and significantly outweigh the negative considerations, and so I strongly support the planning application.

What will happen to your details: When you click “send” on this form, you will be added to our campaign and we will generate the a letter of support in the form linked above in your name for the Marlow Film Studios planning application. We will share this letter with Buckinghamshire Council councillors and officers, Buckinghamshire Parish Council councillors, Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and Members of Parliament. These organisations may upload this letter publicly on their planning portals and/or website and will adhere with their Privacy Policies. In particular, we are requesting that Buckinghamshire Council upload these letters to their Public Access website for our application. Any processing of data by Buckinghamshire Council will be in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

You may also submit comments or letters of support directly on the Public Access website.