Marlow Film Studios, Little Marlow

MAR01: Marlow Film Studios, Little Marlow 1. Land at Marlow Film Studios, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for development as a film and television studio complex. The site shall be used primarily for film, high-end television (HETV) and media production, supporting the growth of the creative and digital industries. 2. Development proposals will be supported where they: a) Deliver a comprehensive and operational film, high end television (HETV) and media production studio use as the primary function of the site. This includes: b) Support production activities, including pre-production, filming and post-production. c) Support uses such as studios, stages, workshops, offices, storage and associated infrastructure, including outdoor space such as backlot and unit bases. d) Include research, development and innovation related to film, television and digital media production. e) Provide education, training and skills development, including cultural and skills facilities, and specialist facilities that support the growth of the sector. f) Provide ancillary uses that are directly related to and support the functioning of the site. g) Deliver transport mitigations including Westhorpe interchange improvements and provision of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the A404 to Parkway, improve existing PRoWs, and provided new pedestrian and cycle links, to Marlow station and Bourne End, h) Include proposals which provide for and make contributions to sustainable transport links and strengthen sustainable transport connections to nearby settlements. i) Incorporate substantial landscaping, mitigation of its environmental impacts and impacts on local transport and other infrastructure. and j) Are supported by a statement demonstrating how the development contributes to the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan and supports growth in the creative and digital sectors. Development criteria 3. All proposals must demonstrate that they: a) Protect the openness of the Green Belt and are consistent with national Green Belt policy. b) Do not result in unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring properties, including from noise, traffic or other disturbance. c) Conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the rural landscape character of the surrounding area, about the setting of the Chiltern National Landscape. d) Conserve the significance of heritage assets, and their settings, including Grade listed buildings at Westhorpe House and Corners Cottage and the Little Marlow Conservation Area. e) Creates a high quality built and semi-natural environment. f) Proposals must retain and enhance existing habitats where practicable, including the creation of linkages, including green corridors, with surrounding wildlife assets and surrounding communities. g) Deliver high-quality design, layout and materials appropriate to the site’s rural edge-ofsettlement context. 6.541 Marlow Film Studios is located to the east of Marlow within the nationally important West of London Screen Cluster, a key hub for the UK’s film, television and digital industries. The site has recently gained planning permission (ref. 22/06443/FULEA) following a recovered appeal decision by the Secretary of State. 6.542 Its proximity to London, Heathrow and the strategic road network makes it well placed to support growth in high-value creative sectors. The site represents a significant opportunity to strengthen Buckinghamshire’s role in the creative economy, supporting job creation, innovation and skills development in line with the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan. 6.543 The site lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt and in a sensitive rural location. Development must therefore be carefully controlled to ensure consistency with national Green Belt policy, maintaining openness while enabling appropriate development that supports the continued use of the site for film and television production. A landscape-led design approach will be essential to minimise visual impacts, conserve the character of the surrounding area, and respond to the setting of the Chilterns National Landscape. 6.544 The policy supports the delivery of a comprehensive and operational studio complex, including production facilities, supporting infrastructure, and uses linked to research, innovation and skills development. These elements are critical to maintaining the competitiveness of the UK screen sector and enabling the modernisation of studio facilities. 6.545 The site is not well served by public transport, and development will need to mitigate transport impacts through improvements to the local and strategic network, including the Westhorpe interchange, enhanced public rights of way, and new walking and cycling connections to nearby settlements and transport nodes. 6.546 Environmental considerations are also important, including the need to protect heritage assets, maintain residential amenity, and enhance biodiversity through green infrastructure and habitat linkages. Substantial landscaping and high-quality design will be key to ensuring the development is appropriately integrated and delivers a high-quality environment.