Environmental campaigners used balloons to demonstrate the scale of a proposed film studio development. 

Last week, commuters were left curious after spotting green balloons in the sky near the Handy Cross roundabout in Marlow.

Although the meaning behind the mysterious balloons was not immediately evident to drivers on their way back from work during rush hour on Monday evening, a local environmental group has since claimed responsibility for the stunt, which it said is part of an ongoing struggle against film studio developers. 

A spokesperson for Save Marlow's Greenbelt, a campaign group that has been vocal about its opposition to the proposed Marlow Film Studios development since an application was submitted in early 2022, took to Facebook this morning (August 18) to share the intention behind the demonstration.

They said balloons were held by campaigners along Marlow Road to indicate the scale of the proposed film studio, which might otherwise be "difficult to grasp".

"It shows how the buildings would dominate the area and change Marlow's character from an attractive riverside town to an industrial conurbation.

"The area proposed for development spans over 90 acres of green land and Greenbelt, affecting all of Marlow and the neighbouring towns of Bourne End, High Wycombe and Little Marlow."

READ MORE: Caravan holds up traffic on Marlow Bridge after getting stuck between bollards

Adding: "When you're next passing by, picture huge industrial warehouses lining the A4155. No more poplar trees, no more views across to Winter Hill and no more natural green space.

"If you've seen the new Shinfield Studios next to the westbound M4, you'll know how bad it would be. And you'd have plenty of time to admire the buildings because if it gets the go-ahead, you'll be stuck in traffic jams caused by 4,000 staff commuting to and from the studio every day."

The group also reiterated that the balloons were held by campaigners on the side of the road and were not released, minimising environmental impact.

Planning documents for Marlow Film Studios, which remains under consideration by the Local Planning Authority, show that transport assessments are ongoing, including a GG 119 road safety audit and a walking, cycling and horse-riding assessment.

A spokesperson for the project previously told the Bucks Free Press that developers are "committed to providing benefits to those who live and work in Buckinghamshire" through the creation of over 4000 jobs and an annual economic boost of £380 million.

Plans for a "conservation meadow" adjoining the Spade Oak Nature Reserve and "biodiversity enhancements" including watercourse improvements were also included in the application's final ecological addendum.