Extinction Rebellion staged a colorful protest in Wycombe against the proposed Marlow Film Studios, highlighting community concerns over local development.
Wycombe: Campaigners from Extinction Rebellion made quite a scene outside the council offices yesterday. They were there for a 17-day inquiry about the Marlow Film Studios proposal.
Dressed in medieval outfits and with painted faces, they held a silent protest. Their banners had messages like “Thought the people voting no was enough” and “Put growth before life itself.”
This inquiry comes after the council rejected the film studio plans back in May 2024, which led to an appeal. An ER spokesperson emphasized that local development decisions should come from the community, not from above.
They pointed out that the land was meant for the Lakes Country Park to help offset biodiversity loss from another project. They stressed that this commitment should be honored.
The spokesperson also mentioned that the UK film industry has plenty of studio space already, much of which isn’t being used. Building another studio in a crowded market could lead to wasted resources.
Marlow is cherished for its unique vibe and community spirit, and the proposed development could disrupt what makes it special.
The studios are planned by Dido Properties Limited on land near the A404 Junction, which used to be a quarry and is now a green belt area.
If the plans go through, the development would cover a massive area and include multiple sound stages, workshops, and parking spaces.
The environmental group raised concerns about Marlow’s transport system, saying it can’t handle the extra traffic a major studio would bring. Residents are worried about increased congestion and pollution.
They believe that instead of destroying green-belt land, the focus should be on redeveloping empty warehouses and office spaces nearby.
The message from Marlow is loud and clear: the government needs to respect local decisions and support community-led projects instead of imposing developments like this film studio.
