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.

Despite the poor condition of the site, it is in the Metropolitan Green Belt. I understand that because of this designation, special reasons are needed for planning permission to be granted on this site. Looking objectively, I believe the positive benefits substantially overcome any negative issues.

Jobs and Careers

Providing sustainable jobs and careers are important for the long-term prosperity of any community. For local people, this should be a key determinant in judging the appropriateness of this application.

This project stands to be one of Bucks’ most meaningful investments in employment and local infrastructure. It is also a key to unlocking the potential in the local creative economy. Many of today’s young people are drawn to employment in this sector. This will be an iconic, world-leading facility that will attract other businesses to the area. For local people, particularly those of employment age, this project offers real hope for the longer term in providing investment into the local community.

Bucks’ global role

Marlow Film Studios will give Bucks and the UK a continuing competitive advantage, supported by local jobs and talent. The UK Government have recently reinforced this with a £10m contribution to the expansion to the National Film & Television School in Beaconsfield.

Bucks can truly lay claim to global leadership in the creative economy. But to underpin this, we need to develop the pipeline of local creative talent to tackle the skills shortage that the industry needs to address, particularly in technology. The Studios have made clear and costed commitments as part of their application. Embedded in their plans are strong links to the local educational community, bridging the industry, local talent, and the creative sector.

Diversity

For local people, the Studios will also be close to one of the more culturally diverse parts of Buckinghamshire. Around 25% of High Wycombe’s population is from the non-White British community, including those of Indian, Afro-Caribbean, Pakistani heritage. 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.

Environment and design

As to the buildings themselves, the Marlow Film Studios’ design puts great emphasis on providing a well-designed and landscaped environment with new cycle and walking routes. In the last 80 years, the site has seen considerable degradation from being a prisoner of war camp, mineral workings, the A404 construction, to the disposal of thousands of tons of landfill waste. The creation of new spaces improving wildlife and plant diversity is an exciting opportunity as part of this project.

Traffic and Transport

Being immediately off the A404 Westhorpe roundabout, the Studios also represent a rare chance to fund necessary upgrades to local transport constraints. The way the 50-year-old Westhorpe interchange operates causes increasing jams on the high-speed road with dangerous consequences. The Westhorpe improvements offered by the Studios will provide a better operating, safer network.

The transport proposals, prepared in discussion with Buckinghamshire Council, also improve connectivity. The creation of a new hub for fully funded new public bus services link to the Elizabeth Line and Wycombe for longer-distance journeys.

Conclusion

I accept that the construction of any major global facility comes with pluses and minuses, but in the case of the Marlow Film Studios 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.