Extinction Rebellion members wearing white face paint with signs hung around their necks held a silent protest against plans for the Marlow Film Studios outside an educational event in High Wycombe.

The proposed Marlow Film Studios development has been a controversial issue amongst residents in the town since a planning application was submitted last year.

Environmentalist campaigners are especially focused on the site where the studios would be built if approved by Buckinghamshire Council, which is an area of protected Green Belt land. 

Extinction Rebellion staged a silent protest outside an event held by Marlow Film Studios in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University on Monday night (June 5) to illustrate their concerns about the planning proposal.

Protestors donned 'penitent' costumes consisting of white face paint and signs hung around their necks, as in a previous protest against Thames Water that was held in Little Marlow in April.

The 'penitents' outside Monday night's event wore signs with the messages: 'Trusted the developers', 'Killed wildlife to make a killing' and 'Loved the beauty, didn't act to protect it'. 

The protest took place outside Buckinghamshire New University on Queen Alexandra Road in High Wycombe, during an event where speakers including Marlow Film Studios CEO Robert Laycock and former Culture Minister Lord Vaizey spoke about attracting students to careers in the film and television industry.

Marlow resident Helen Bradbury told the Bucks Free Press that she believed the film studios development would have a detrimental impact on the town's environment and ecosystems.

"The area is covered in plants, shrubs, trees and wildflowers and with the environmental crisis and increasing temperatures, the protection of our Green Belt is vital for the community to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

"We need to prevent urban heat islands which occur when natural land cover is replaced with vast areas of buildings, roads, pavement and other surfaces that absorb and re-emit heat.

"Green spaces in urban areas are crucial to support the population in adapting to temperature rises. The best future we can give our children is a liveable planet and that means protecting nature."

Robert Laycock, CEO of Marlow Film Studios, said: “Buckinghamshire has a global lead in the creative industries sector and the livelihood of many people nearby is dependent on this sector remaining vibrant and being recognised for its profound potential.

“We welcome conversations with anyone who has comments about the Marlow Film Studios planning application. Our door is always open.”