Wycombe Film Studios submits planning application
Stage Fifty has submitted its planning application to Buckinghamshire Council for an eight-stage film studio.
Wycombe Film Studios aims develop a 26-acre site just off the M40 near High Wycombe, with a decision from the council expected in January 2023.
The plans include tree screening and green walls on the stage buildings to blend in with the tree line and soften the view for the studio’s neighbours in Claymoor Park. Specially designed cladding with faded grading will help the stages merge with the landscape and skyline.
In addition, The sound stages aim to be environmentally friendly through being almost fully recyclable, and the offices, café, amenity spaces, and gatehouse are designed to harmonise with the surroundings. The plan is for these low-level buildings to be clad in timber, have green roofs, and sit within native wildlife-friendly planting and grasses. Also, across the site, carbon has been designed out of the scheme to reduce the studio’s carbon footprint, and solar photovoltaic panels will be used where possible.
James Enright, CEO of Stage Fifty, said: “We want to build a sustainable studio that the people of Wycombe are proud of, one that will create exciting new jobs for the community and generate around £305m GVA
“As soon as we have a decision from the council, everything can happen in a short timeframe as the design of our innovative sound stages means we can build quickly. Once the studio is fully operational, it will support around 750 full-time jobs and 450 indirect jobs in the supply chain, and we’ll develop the skills of young local people by offering traineeships and industry placements at Wycombe Film Studios through Stage Fifty’s Academy of Creative and Technical Arts (ACTA)
“Our goal is to build a studio that is not only sustainable in its construction but a place where people are excited to work in the heart of Buckinghamshire. Ultimately, we want Wycombe Film Studios to set the benchmark, attracting filmmakers from all over the world.”