THE approval of plans to build a huge multi-million pound film studios site in High Wycombe has prompted a mixed response from residents.

Buckinghamshire Council granted full planning permission for the Wycombe Film Studios development yesterday (March 16) on a site near Booker Airfield in High Wycombe.

The site was removed from the Green Belt land designation policy in 2019 by the former Wycombe District as part of its Local Plan.

The future film studios location also sits adjacent to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Some High Wycombe residents were optimistic about the upcoming development, which planners say will support 1,200 jobs and generate £305 million for the local economy.

Barbara Harrison said: “Brilliant news for employment in the area.”

Adrian Zapdos Britton agreed, writing: “On the plus side, there will be more chance of work for people who want a future in filmmaking or a new start after the pandemic."

However, others were sceptical of the promised benefits of the newly confirmed development.

Verity West, a member of Save Marlow’s Greenbelt - a campaign opposing the proposed development of a film studios set on Green Belt land in Marlow, said: “This is more reckless development in an area without employment issues. It will have a detrimental impact on the community and infrastructure.”

Other residents from Marlow suggested that due to the Wycombe site and the recent Pinewood Studios expansion, the Marlow Film Studios project might no longer be needed. 

Anna Crabtree wrote: “The question is, how many studios does Buckinghamshire need?”

Emma Hawkins shared the same opinion, saying: “We definitely do not need one in Marlow then!”

Janet Gladstone, meanwhile, shared concerns about the level of employment required to keep the multiple Bucks-based studio sets in operation.

She said: “With similar facilities at Marlow, Pinewood, Leavesden and Shinfield near Reading, all within 45 minutes of Wycombe, will there be enough studio work to go around?”

Chairman of the Booker Common and Woods Protection Society, Brian Tranter, also objected to the new development on the grounds that it would negatively affect the nearby airpark and was too close to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He said: “For the development to go ahead, gliding at the airpark can only operate with severe restrictions. General aviation has already been compromised as the north-south grass runway 35 is no longer usable.

“The Chilterns Area of Natural Beauty will also be adversely affected, but since the AONB is so large in comparison to the development, the damage is being considered to be acceptable.”

Stage Fifty, the production company behind the project, has emphasised the environmental considerations of the eight-stage studios set, which will include green walls and cladding to help buildings to blend in with the surrounding landscape. 

They have also commissioned expert ecologists to advise on how best to protect and improve habitats for wildlife in the area.

Buckinghamshire Council leader Martin Tett said: "With its state-of-the-art facilities, the studios will be a hub of creativity.

"They'll also be a catalyst for economic growth in the area, generating around 750 direct jobs and a further 450 indirect jobs, as well as providing new opportunities for education and training."