Parish concerns remain the same
Bray: Fundamental objections to plans haven’t changed
Bray Parish Council has once again spoken out strongly against an application for Holyport Studios – questioning the point of updated plans and saying they could see no changes.
Controversial proposals to build the new film and TV studio on Gays Lane were officially submitted in early January 2023 but have been in motion for longer, with consultations taking place in October 2022.
At a Bray Parish Council (BPC) extraordinary meeting in January, residents and councillors spoke about their fears of ‘immense’ traffic in an area ‘notorious’ for accidents.
There was an ‘avalanche’ of objections from the public, councillors said.
Planning applications submitted to the Royal Borough are analysed by the parish council for the area, who then give their recommendations. When an applicant makes amendments, it goes back under the scrutiny of the parish council.
This Holyport Studios scheme went to BPC once again for consideration at its planning meeting on December 18, for the third time.
However, councillors said they struggled to determine what was different about the proposals.
Amended plans – including block, location demolition plans and some regarding the proposed new roundabout, as well as supporting information on highways – were submitted on December 7.
This has led to a raft of additional objection letters – 28 more since these December documents were uploaded, out of a total of now 205.
The outline plans still involve demolishing farm buildings, putting in sound stages, a backlot, a virtual reality studio, workshops and studio facilities as well as warehouses and offices.
Also included are plans for a new nature park, cycling and pedestrian facilities, a new cricket pitch and pavilion, a long-stay car park, a new access roundabout and vehicle route.
BPC recommended refusal ‘very strongly’ again this month, saying there had been ‘no resolution’ to items raised by the parish council at its meeting at the beginning of the year.
Its fundamental objection – that this scheme is proposed for the greenbelt and no ‘very special circumstances’ (needed to justify building there) have been demonstrated – remains the same.
It would involve ‘the destruction of the openness of the greenbelt by the height of 21m+ and mass of at least 60,000sqft of buildings,’ they noted in the minutes of the December 18 meeting.
“The creation of a parkland would urbanise the area, currently open farmland fields, and change of use would open the door to future development,” BPC concluded.
“There is a mention of a proposed cricket pitch on this land; there are two already in the area, one behind Holyport Memorial
Hall and one at Braywood, another one is not required.” “Near the proposed development in Moneyrow Green and in the surrounding area there have been multiple issues with flooding and high surface water,” BPC added.
“It is common knowledge that the current Thames Water network cannot take any more development in the area and Thames Water has no money available to facilitate a multi-millionpound upgrade.”
As such, Thames Water has objected to the development, they added.
BPC was further concerned over security lighting in use for 24 hours a day.
“This will be seen for miles around and impact many residents and any wildlife left,” BPC wrote.
The parish council had multiple other concerns. Included in this was doubt over the business justification for the development, given other film studios in the area.
At the meeting, it was set out by Louvaine Kneen,
BPC chairman of planning, that she could find no difference between these Holyport Studios plans and previous ones.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Chris Graham, BPC vice-chairman, said: “As far as we were concerned, there wasn’t [a difference].
“We do not understand why it’s been put forward again because clearly the parish council is going to propose refusal on the same basis that they did last time, which is exactly what we've done.”
Greystoke Land Ltd, the developer, has been contacted for comment.