Residents are calling for a public forum to be held after a town council voted in support of a proposed film studio in a 'secret', off-record meeting. 

Marlow Town Councillor and former Mayor Richard Scott submitted a comment in support of the Marlow Film Studios proposal to the local planning portal on September 6, citing an off-the-record "members only" vote in favour of the project in his representation. 

The unofficial meeting, which took place on August 24, saw the councillors agree to "fully support and not raise any objections to" the film studio development, with a majority vote of eight to three. 

Mr Scott wrote that the council "had been actively encouraged and lobbied by residents to form a view on the application" and engaged in "democratic, extensive debate and discussion" at the unofficial meeting, after attending public consultations and prior to reaching a consensus. 

The Town Council exercises no authority in relation to the approval or rejection of the Marlow Film Studios proposal, on which a decision is expected to be made by the Local Planning Authority Buckinghamshire Council later this year.

Anna Crabtree, the prospective Liberal Democrats candidate for Beaconsfield and councillor for the Little Marlow Parish, has now launched a petition in response to what she has described as a “secret” meeting that she does not believe is in line with standard democratic practice.

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The petition, which has accumulated over 150 signatures, calls for a public meeting to be held by Marlow Town Council in response to the backlash from its private vote, giving residents a platform to share their views and opinions on the Marlow Film Studios development, which has been contentious among local environmentalists due to its proposed location on Greenbelt land.

Ms Crabtree said she was not concerned with the debate around the film studio but primarily wanted to draw attention to what she views as undemocratic practices in the undisclosed nature of the council’s vote on the proposal.

“Private, un-minuted meetings are not how local authorities should operate. Alongside feeling like democracy is not being upheld, I am also aware that there is a risk of councillors being pressurised into making decisions and that this decision has been reached essentially on behalf of the town, but without hearing the opinions of members of the public.”

“I don’t think the Town Council should be having a meeting of this kind about any planning application, but to do it in this way also denies residents the chance for a public forum and runs the risk of whittling away the whole principle of democracy.”

Marlow Town Council declined to comment on the petition.