Wycombe Film Studios designs revealed

Stage Fifty has revealed its vision for Wycombe Film Studios, which they say will feature eight stages, in the southern corner of Booker Airfield, but there have been dozens of objections to the plans.

Designs have been revealed days after the company submitted fresh plans for even more stages at the site on a temporary basis - and an application for a permanent studio will follow later this year. 

While Stage Fifty says their plans will transform the site into a "class-leading sustainable film studio perfect for moviemakers and global streamers", not everyone is pleased.

Booker Gliding Club has been left furious and fearing they could be forced to close because they have been left "homeless" amid the plans. 

The club has operated from Wycombe Air Park for more than 70 years, but is now not sure what will happen to it. 

With the council keen to progress with the film studio, it was agreed the gliding club should be relocated to the little-used north side of the airfield before work began on the development and planning permission for a new glider runway was granted - but it has still not come to fruition. 

The club was forced to relocate temporarily and until recently was able to fly from Chiltern Park aerodrome, but that has now closed and the club has been unable to find an alternative site. 

Concerns about the gliding club's future form a number of objections to the film studio plans online. 

Richard Lever said: "I object to the proposed development as it will prevent gliding at Wycombe Air Park.

"In the absence of gliding facilities at the north side of the airfield, as previously proposed by the council, there will be insufficient space left for gliding if this development goes ahead."

High Wycombe resident Jacob Hanks wrote: "This takes away local community flying clubs all in the name of profit. Additionally the surrounding roads do not have the infrastructure associated with film sites due to the large traffic numbers from both cars and HGVs."

Russell Woakes wrote: "If this planning application is granted it will lead to the current situation at Booker (a ban on glider flying) becoming permanent leading to the ultimate demise of the club through no fault of their own."

James Enright, the CEO of Stage Fifty, said they were "excited" to reveal their designs for the studio, which they say will create around 750 full-time direct jobs.

He said: "We've been working behind the scenes for two years to ensure we have everything in place to build a world-class film studio with all the elements for success.

"We've received temporary planning approval to build one stage and workshops and have submitted further applications for three more stages to support a major feature film that will start shooting this year. We'll apply for full planning permission to create the long-term permanent studio in the coming months. 

"Stage Fifty creates sustainable studios, and together with our partners, we've developed new technologies and innovative ways to build greener and more quickly than our competitors.

"This will be our third site in the UK. We've achieved great success with our other film studios in Farnborough and Winnersh, and we're looking to continue this success in High Wycombe.

"Wycombe Film Studios will stimulate economic growth throughout the region, supporting around 600 temporary jobs during the construction phase alone.

"Once the studio is operational, it will create around 750 full-time direct jobs and support 450 indirect jobs in the supply chain.

"Ideal for independent productions and global franchises alike, the studio will establish High Wycombe as a destination for national and international film and high-end television projects, attracting the world's most innovative content creators and inspiring a new generation of British filmmakers in the heart of Buckinghamshire."

A phased build of the studio is being planned over the next 18 months - subject to planning permission being granted by Buckinghamshire Council. 

View the latest plans, submitted last week, using the planning reference 22/05889/FUL at the council's Wycombe planning portal.