Hollywood is coming, not just to High Wycombe but to all of Buckinghamshire. But is the influx of studio developments in the county a good thing?

Amid the recent approval of Wycombe Film Studios, the Pinewood Studios expansion and the impending Marlow development, Buckinghamshire seems to be overrun with movie-making facilities.

Despite the optimism of developers, these new projects have also drummed up a great deal of community discontent, with residents of the towns and villages near development sites expressing environmental and accessibility concerns. 

Wycombe Film Studios, which will be continuing development over the next 18 months at a site on Clay Lane, SL7 3DP, joins Pinewood Studios in Iver, Shinfield Studios in Reading and Marlow Studios as a group of sites comprising the 'West London Cluster'.

The enduring 'cluster' idea, a phrase that entered the lexicon in relation to the expansion of Pinewood Studios this year, is of an interconnected critical mass of creative talent and world-class facilities that also boasts good transport links with London.

A 'Sites Camera Action' report from Lambert Smith Hampton, published in 2021, confirmed the demand for more studio space in the UK, with Pinewood and the nearby Leavesden Studios in Watford found to be the country's biggest facilities by a comfortable margin.

Subsequent development in the area has seemingly confirmed Buckinghamshire's status as a hub for UK film and TV production, with some new projects setting up shop on Greenbelt land, designates areas intended to contain urban sprawls.

Despite this, film studios developments in the South East remain a contentious issue and one that is exacerbated on both ends by Bucks council's approval of the Wycombe Studios project.

Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, was enthusiastic about the economic prospects of the ongoing development.

He said: "I am delighted to see this important investment in our area. It will bring interesting, well-paid jobs and put Wycombe on the map globally in this prestigious and expanding industry."

Bucks Free Press:

Residents in Marlow, however, were concerned about what the Wycombe Studios approval might mean for the development proposed for their backyard, which is still pending final approval.

Eileen Francis, 86, from Westhorpe Park, an area close to the potential development, was worried that the studios could seriously impact her daily life.

She said: "Our community here has many elderly and vulnerable people, who rely on daily carers, meal and pharmacy deliveries, hospital transport and the local bus service, how on earth are they going to be able to continue amongst the chaos this development will cause?"

READ MORE: Wycombe Film Studios: Residents react to Bucks council approval

Meanwhile Verity West, Chair of Wild Marlow, expressed concerns about the wider environmental impact which would result from Buckinghamshire becoming the home of multiple studio developments.

She said: "As one of the worst nature depleted countries in the world, in a time when wildlife is in such devastating decline, it is totally irresponsible and inappropriate to build on Greenbelt land."

Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett, however, also emphasised the economic output that would be generated by Wycombe Studios.

He said: "With its state-of-the-art facilities, the studios will be a hub of creatvity. 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."

The project, which has been three years in the making, will include designated green space and wildlife habitat areas.