The Idyllic Charm of Marlow and the Threat of a New Film Studio
Marlow, a picturesque town on the River Thames, 30 miles west of London, embodies the quintessential English village. With its population of 14,000, the town boasts luxury boutiques, high-end cafes, a plush cinema, and a 19th-century rowing club. The main streets are lined with charming shops like Saddle Safari, a bike shop owned by Andrew Rackstraw, a resident of nearly three decades. The town’s idyllic charm is further enhanced by its proximity to a Michelin-starred restaurant and Britain’s only two-Michelin-starred pub. However, this peaceful setting is under threat from a proposed £750 million ($950 million) film and TV studio complex, which has sparked intense debate among locals.
The studio plans include 18 soundstages, workshop spaces, offices, and outdoor filming lots spread across 90 acres between Marlow and the smaller village of Little Marlow. While the developers promise thousands of jobs and economic growth, many residents remain skeptical. Andrew Rackstraw, a vocal opponent, believes the project would have a devastating impact on the town’s character, already strained by traffic congestion. “It will have the biggest impact to Marlow that we’ve ever seen because of the scale of it,” he remarked. The fear is that the studio would bring thousands more cars, eroding the very charm that makes Marlow special.
The Battle Over the Studio and Its National Significance
The controversy over the studio has become a national issue, reflecting the British government’s push to revive the economy through development. Unlike other infrastructure projects, this studio is neither crucial nor essential, yet it has gained significant attention. Last May, the local council rejected the planning application, giving opponents a temporary victory. However, the arrival of a new Labour government breathed life into the project, aligning it with the administration’s economic growth agenda.
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has made economic growth its top priority. Despite strained public finances, the government is relying on changes to the planning system to stimulate growth. Ministers have vowed to “back the builders, not the blockers” to revitalize the economy. The developers, led by Robert Laycock, CEO of Marlow Film Studios, appealed the council’s decision, and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner intervened, taking the unusual step of deciding whether to grant approval herself.
The Role of the Creative Industries in Economic Growth
Britain’s creative industries, including film and TV production, have long been a cultural and economic powerhouse. From Alfred Hitchcock’s pioneering work in the 1930s to the filming of “Star Wars” in the 1970s and recent blockbusters like “Wicked” and “Barbie,” the UK has become a global production hub. It is the largest production hub for Netflix outside North America. The Labour government sees these industries as central to its growth strategy, but the sector has faced challenges, including the 2023 Hollywood strikes and reduced spending by major streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
Despite these challenges, the industry began to recover in 2024, with £5.6 billion spent on film and high-end TV production in the UK, an increase of 31% from 2023. Adrian Wootton, CEO of the British Film Commission, expressed cautious optimism for 2025, citing enhanced tax relief measures and a pickup in filming for major projects like “Star Wars” TV shows and Season 4 of “Bridgerton.” The commission supports studio expansion, including the Marlow project, but acknowledges that the UK may not need more studio space than what is already planned.
The Government’s Shift in Planning Policy and Its Implications
The Labour government has introduced changes to the planning system to facilitate development. These changes include supporting a third runway at Heathrow Airport, easing rules for building homes near commuter rail stations, and speeding up decisions on major infrastructure projects like nuclear plants and wind farms. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves succinctly captured the government’s stance: “The answer can’t always be no.”
While the government’s approach has been welcomed by developers, it has raised concerns among locals who fear that the planning system is becoming too developer-friendly. Many argue that the system disproportionately favors those with the resources to push through large-scale projects, often at the expense of local communities. The battle over the Marlow studio has become a microcosm of this broader debate, with opponents accusing developers of pursued unrealistic proposals that ignore local concerns.
The Environmental and Community Impact of the Studio Proposal
The proposed studio would be built on a green belt, a protected area intended to prevent urban sprawl. While the government has proposed reclassifying some green belt land as “gray belt” to allow development, the Marlow project has sparked fierce opposition. Critics argue that the studio would destroy the natural beauty of the area, including fields of thistles and lakes where red kites fly overhead. The development would also encroach on a small residential area, including more than 50 mobile homes and an early-18th-century house converted into apartments.
Thorsten Polleit, an economist and resident of one of the converted apartments, testified during the public inquiry that the development would leave residents “totally surrounded, literally incarcerated.” These concerns are compounded by the project’s scale and the potential strain it would place on Marlow’s infrastructure. opponents argue that the benefits of the studio are outweighed by the risks to the town’s character and environment.
The Ongoing Debate and the Future of the Marlow Film Studio
The future of the Marlow film studio remains uncertain. A planning inspector is currently overseeing a five-week public inquiry, with a recommendation to be made to Angela Rayner. Another studio project, located just seven miles from Marlow, is also awaiting her approval after being rejected by the local council. Robert Laycock, CEO of Marlow Film Studios, remains committed to the project, arguing that the site is the “right and only” location due to its proximity to Pinewood Studios, where many James Bond films were made. Laycock, who is the great-nephew of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, emphasizes his connection to the film industry amid accusations that he and his team lack sufficient experience.
However, opponents, including Little Marlow Parish Councilor Anna Crabtree, argue that the planning system is biased toward wealthy developers who can pursue unrealistic proposals. The battle over the studio has been “a huge drain on the local community,” she said, adding that it has caused significant stress for residents. As the inquiry concludes, the decision on the Marlow film studio will not only determine the fate of the project but also set a precedent for how the UK balances development and preservation in its pursuit of economic growth. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for communities across the country.
