Plans to build a temporary film set in Shinfield have been given prior approval despite residents raising concerns about the prospect of ‘disturbed’ sleep. 

Shinfield Studios, which already owns studios at the nearby Thames Valley Science Park development, submitted the application for a film backlot – a space for the construction of a non-permanent set – on land to the south of Oldhouse Farm. 

Full approval would allow the land to be used for a period not exceeding nine months in any 27-month span for commercial filmmaking, including the erection of any temporary structures. 

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Filming is scheduled to be carried out between October 10 this year and March 31, 2023, over approximately 35 days. 

The application outlines the need for approximately 200 crew, between one and 80 cast members depending on the scene and silent generators, as well as special effects including small fires and atmospheric smoke effects. 

Shinfield Studios state that they “anticipate minimal night filming” which will still require lighting and residents are concerned that their sleep may “suffer”. 

A resident of Cutbush Lane East, Miss Millen, said: “Filming is due to take place in the winter months when no leaves are on the trees to help shield any lighting being used for nighttime filming. 

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“If we do suffer with an issue at night and our sleep being disturbed how will this be rectified?” 

Another resident of the same road, Mark Cockram, raised concerns over the “dramatic increase” in vehicles along the lane already over the last year, which he says has caused “many problems” for the area. 

“We regularly have vehicles pulling out in front of us without looking right or cutting across in front of us to pull into the studios. […] marshals [are] more interested in their phones than the traffic. 

“[The plan will see] a significant increase in the number of people and the vehicles […] than any previous activity at Old House Farm,” Mr Cockram added. 

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Other objections related to noise were raised, with complaints that it is possible to hear the “hum of generators” at night from the current studios. 

“When noise levels were raised as a concern for the stages, the reply was that this would be mitigated because they were indoor sets, clearly designed to contain sound. This is not the case with an open-door set,” Mr Cockram said. 

Before the site is used as a backlot, topsoil would be removed to allow the construction of a ‘sub-base’ before the building of three sets at the location. These developments will be removed once the filming period ends, and the topsoil replaced to reinstate the land. 

Construction is currently scheduled to take place between July 18 and October 10.