Plans for a film and TV studio campus near Stewartby have been given the go-ahead, despite concerns over its impact on local wildlife.
Central Bedfordshire Council’s Development Management Committee yesterday (24 August) approved the planning application for the complex on a former quarry in Houghton Conquest
Up to 3,800 jobs could be created if the film and TV studio campus is built, benefiting the region by £242m a year.
Plans include multiple sound stages, workshops and staff accommodation.
Read: Plans to build “world-class” film and TV studios on former Stewartby brickwork quarry
The proposed site, Quest Pit, was designated a County Wildlife Site in 2015 and is recognised for its assemblage of rare breeding birds.
Kathy Blackmore, from Bedfordshire Bird Club, said: “[This is] an inappropriate development for a county wildlife site. We believe that the proposals for replacing the biodiversity are far from assured.”
Co-founder of Home of Production (HOP) Chris McDermott told the committee that the company had approached this development “differently” by investing ahead of planning approval to identify and access multiple land parcels.
“So we can deliver our ten per cent biodiversity commitment,” he said.
Jon Davies, the applicants’ ecologist, said: “We have now actually secured sufficient land to offset at least the first two phases of the proposed development.
“In addition to creating almost three times as much habitat that has been lost, our financial contributions to both Nature Space and Forest of Marston Vale will mean that there will be even more habitat creation for Great Crested Newts and woodland respectively as the result of our project. ”
The developers have said they would be aiming for a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent rating, and the scheme includes the introduction of ecological corridors across the site, as well as new wetlands and floating reed beds.
A transport hub will connect the site to the local bus network with an arrival point for cyclists, pedestrians and coaches, while new pedestrian links and walking routes will line the site’s boundaries.
They’ve also stated that work could start within days of planning permission being granted.
Read: Construction on UK’s largest new film and TV studios could begin soon in Stewartby
Cllr Victoria Harvey (Independent, Leighton Linslade West) asked about the time frame to create an environment for the displaced birds.
“How can you assure that we’re not going to have an overall decline and that the species will come back?” she asked.
Mr Davies said the techniques to develop the new habit are “widely used”.
“To create a reed bank habitat takes about two to four years, so within that time you’ll have an open water habit and you’ll have reed beds well established that the birds can then move into,” Mr Davies replied.
“It doesn’t take a significant amount of time to create these habitats.”
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
additional reporting by
Paul Hutchinson for the Bedford Independent
