'Noise, lights and huge marquees' that can be seen from a tranquil nature reserve as part of a massive film set are some of the concerns raised by a Little Marlow resident.
Martin Braint revealed to the Free Press that marquees near the village’s Spade Oak Nature Reserve can be seen 'if he were to step outside his front door.'
Noise and light pollution are also a problem, with Mr Braint adding that the field 'is the wrong place' for the film set due to the size of the operation.
The film set is rumoured to be for a Disney production, but the company has remained tight-lipped so far despite the disruption their presence has caused.
READ MORE: Huge film set built in Little Marlow near Spade Oak Nature Reserve
Mr Braint’s concerns come after '60-odd cars and vans laid with heavy plastic decking panels and fences', arrived in the village at the end of September/start of October.
However, Mr Braint also stressed that Buckinghamshire Council is aware of the resident’s concerns and that things have 'improved' in recent weeks.
He said: “It is the noise, the lights, the huge marquees that have been put up and you can see it from the other side of the lake.
“We have had films in the village before and it is quite exciting having things go on for a short period of time.
“But when they are considering carrying it on for years or into the future, it is a different matter.
“They have built a massive marquee on the field which we can see, and we can hear much more.
“It is the wrong place for it.”
A planning application suggested the set could potentially stay in the village for an extra three years amid concerns over delays due to actors and crew needing to social distance.
But due to the backlash from those who live in the area, this has been now been decreased to an extra six months.
It is also rumoured that the set has been built to accommodate scenes for the next Star Wars film, which is due to be released in December 2022 – but this has not been confirmed.
Mr Braint continued: “We’re in a conservation area and it is not good for the lake, the wildlife and the locals with the noise and the light pollution, and one of my neighbours has a spotlight shining through her bedroom window at around 5.30am.
“But the council have now started discussing the situation with us [the residents], and things have improved because we mentioned it.
“The main reason for the way the locals were feeling was because it was going to be long term, when we first thought it was going to be for a few months, which is great and exciting as something is going on in the village.
READ MORE: Little Marlow film set near Spade Oak Nature Reserve could stay for three years
“But because of the long-term effect on the country park, the noise we didn’t expect, and the marquee in the field and the spotlights, this caused a lot of alarm in the village.
Charles Brocklehurst, the interim head of special projects at Buckinghamshire Council said: “We have had extensive dialogue with residents in recent weeks and have responded in full to the concerns they’ve expressed.
“My take on it is that those concerned are okay with the steps the film company are taking to reduce their impact.
“It’s not the actual film set that has given rise to these concerns but the ancillary facilities in the adjoining field (which is not council owned).”
Disney has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
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