Residents urged to oppose Pinewood plan

10:09pm Thursday 30th October 2008

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RESIDENTS are being urged to write to councillors in opposition to plans for a brand new film set which would be built on Green Belt land.

The world-famous Pinewood Studios near Gerrards Cross has unveiled plans for a 44-hectare site which would include mock-ups of some of the world's most famous cities.

The “multi-purpose facility” would also include 1,500 new dwellings – which has been reduced from an initial figure of 2,250.

But people living near the site say the development - known as 'Project Pinewood' - would create massive traffic problems in the surrounding villages and would be out of character with the countryside.

Around thirty residents of Fulmer, one of the villages near to Pinewood, met at the Village Hall this evening to discuss the plans.

They expect the proposals to be rejected by South Bucks District Council before going to a planning appeal – and are therefore being encouraged to show their opposition to the development now to strengthen their case should there be an appeal.

Peter Hardy, the county councillor for Fulmer, told residents: “I'm completely convinced the district council will turn it down and it will go to appeal. We need to be prepared for that part of the process.

“Send as many letters as possible to show the strength of feeling. They will go through to the inspectorate at appeal.

“The county council and the district council is absolutely in favour of maintaining the Green Belt. It's important to the character of the area we live in.”

He told residents the number of letters sent to the council was important – but they should also write in about as many different issues as possible.

Ronnie Lamb, chairman of Fulmer Parish Council, said: “Pinewood have to show there's an exceptional circumstance why there's a need for this to be built on Green Belt. I'm not convinced they can show that.

"We are all in favour of retaining Green Belt and we need to stick to that as an absolute.

“It is clear they (Pinewood) haven't given any consideration to the flow of traffic. The impact on the roads is the most serious thing we are going to have to contend with.”

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press after the meeting, Mr Lamb added: “There were a number of people here who are taking this very seriously. They will support whatever goes on.

“We are very happy to have Pinewood here – we respect they play a role. But we see this as a housing project that's got nothing to do with films at all.”

Pinewood Studios is expected to submit a formal planning application to South Bucks District Council before Christmas.

Nobody from the studios was present at tonight's meeting.