Marlow Film Studios unveils £20m transport investment plans

Buckinghamshire Council’s Strategic Sites Committee voted to defer a decision on the Marlow Film Studios project back in October 2023, citing its potential for environmental harm and impact on transport networks as the reasons against it.

This week, ahead of a new committee meeting scheduled for the spring, the studio developers have unveiled a package of new plans to address the concerns raised by councillors last year.

The amendments to the original application include proposed investments of over £20 million into local roads and transport networks.

Among other things, they are pledging to create two new bus services which a spokesperson for Carousel Buses said would “transform the public transport offer between Marlow and High Wycombe”.

Plans are also laid out for improvements to the A404 Westhorpe Junction, an already congested roundabout that could be worsened by an influx of studio commuters. 

New measures proposed by the developers include a new approach lane for traffic leaving Marlow and new intelligent traffic lights that respond to capacity fluctuations.

A studio representative also addressed the criticism that the development does not meet the ‘very special circumstances’ required for building on the Green Belt.

READ MORE: Appeals and arguments: What’s next for Marlow Film Studios in 2024?

They wrote: “An extensive search was undertaken across 22 Local Planning Authorities, investigating 126 possible sites, including brownfield.

“When tested for ‘suitability’ in both land use and operator requirements, Marlow Film Studios tanked top on both criteria.”

Robert Laycock, CEO of the project, added: “These improvements to the roads and bus services in South Bucks are only a part of the major benefits unlocked by the studios for the local area, its residents and the economy.”

However, local campaigners continue to argue that a strong economic need for a film studio in Marlow does not exist.

A spokesperson for the group Save Marlow’s Greenbelt stated that while they are still in the process of reviewing the new documents, their “fundamental objections” to the development – including its scale and ecological impact – remain.

Adding: “The UK film production industry is in structural decline as evidenced by the 43 per cent reduction in inward investment last year.

“We urge the Planning Officer to commission a new economic report that assesses the need for a new studio in Marlow and provides an independent analysis of its claimed economic benefits.”