Agenda item

Andrew Joynt, Pinewood Studios gave a presentation on Phase 3 trees and planting. It was confirmed palisade fencing would be screened by planting and woodland. Some key statistics on planting were listed below:

• 114 scattered trees through the grassland planted at 4 metres high with 18% evergreen.
• 2700 square metres of new woodland planting altogether.
• 750 square metres new scrub planting.
• 15% of the woodland mix planted at 3.5 metres high.
• Scattered trees 4 metres high on the bund.
• 15% of the woodland trees would be evergreen and 10% scrub land to be evergreen.
• 130 metres of new hedgerow to run along the fence line.
• 4000 new native trees and shrubs to be planted at the South and East side of the new studios.

A query was received about meshing around the fencing and the accessibility of animals. It was confirmed the palisade fencing took out three stays to provide mammal gaps. The post and rail fences with meshing would prevent litter but mammals would still be able to move freely.

There was concern around the number of TPO trees that had died and if these would be replaced once phase 3 started to the current growth they should be had they not died. In addition, there was a request to consider the maintenance of planted trees to prevent decay and death. There would be advance planting on the southern boundary as there would be no ground disturbance if this area was planted first. Furthermore, the landscape contractor would include a year’s maintenance of the trees and this would be part of the planning conditions going forward.  The plan would include information on what trees were being removed.

There was a request for an update on Seven Hills. This was part of the screen hub application and would be delivered later as part of that application. Five Points Roundabout was part of the PSDF and would be delivered earlier as part of that framework.

It was advised there was currently no update on Alderbourne Farm.

An update on the Screen Hub was provided. Buckinghamshire Council Strategic Sites Committee approved the application at their last meeting. The decision would now be considered by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The draft Section 106 agreement was available on public access. After a query it was confirmed the Secretary of State had been provided with the information and no judgement to approve or call in the decision had been made or any timeframes provided. The Group would be notified as soon as they heard anything.

The Five Points Roundabout Scheme provided mitigation as part of the PSDF and would be presented to the Strategic Sites Committee with the target date for a decision at their meeting on 24^th March 2022. It was confirmed the application was the same as the one approved in 2013 by the Council with a minor change to the crossing to remove the island to make it safer.

Concerns were raised regarding Five Points Roundabout and drainage. Delays to the construction of the roundabout and the status of the drainage survey were queried.

• Concerns were expressed over the maintenance of the drainage system and who was responsible. The officer advised highways would need a section 278 agreement and technical approval to ensure the drainage standards were met, the site was previously reviewed in 2018. Pinewood Studios would be required to ensure that the new junction can be appropriately drained.  Officers confirmed that in 2018, when Pinewood Studios were originally looking to implement Five Points Roundabout, TfB had put aside funding to carry out maintenance to the highway drainage system. Officers confirmed that discussions were taking place to see whether a similar arrangement can be reached to align with the delivery of the works.
• There was a query about the timeframe for construction if planning permission had been granted. The detailed design tender for construction had gone out and the work was expected to take under a year to complete. In the contract the construction company would need to provide a community liaison officer to keep all parties up to date with the project. The tender process was subject to planning permission being granted.
• Concerns were raised about the capacity of the drainage system and if this particular area were part of the Council’s budget plans. The officer confirmed that the Council has significantly invested in the maintenance of highway drainage. 
• There was a query relating to the number of trees removed to construct the Five Points Roundabout. Jason Turner, Development Manager Pinewood Studios confirmed he would have to report back on this at a later date including replanting.
• A Member pointed out if the Five Points Roundabout construction was approved the work would commence next financial year which would require Transport for Bucks to allocate funding. It was confirmed there was ample funding for drainage however, funding would be based on a prioritisation system, and it was noted once work had commenced an assessment would be required by officers to establish costs. The officer confirmed the budget was based on a prioritisation system which was why it was important to make representations to ward councillors to put local issues forward, however there was flexibility in the budget and funds could be advanced.
• Andrew Smith, Corporate Affairs Director at Pinewood confirmed he had asked for a meeting with the Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport to discuss the safety of the A412 and drainage would be added to the agenda.

Concern was raised about a potential pollution leak into the water at Black Park and if this had been investigated. The Corporate Affairs Director reported that the leak was vegetable dye due to an incident relating to the wardrobe department. The Environmental Agency and park rangers were informed immediately after the incident and the vegetable dye was removed from the water within 48 hours. The Pinewood team would discuss lessons learnt at their internal meeting.

A query was raised regarding Pinewood’s directory of businesses listed at site. Concern was expressed that a particular company listed an address at Pinewood however did not operate from site. In addition, certain companies were not respectful of the area and a Member enquired if there was a code of conduct for HGV drivers. In response, It was noted that there was limited control over delivery drivers, however all residents were encouraged to report poor driving to the police. Construction and HGV vehicles were advised to avoid Alderborne and Fulmer village and studio regulations forbad vehicles using Pinewood Green. Any companies falsely reporting to be tenants of Pinewood should be reported to the Corporate Affairs Director at Pinewood Studios as legal action could be taken against them.

A Member requested an update on fire safety precautions on site at Pinewood. It was advised there was a fire in two workshops at Pinewood East, the fire was extinguished but reignited 48 hours later. The fire and rescue service investigation found no fault with procedures and it was determined an internal door was left open. Pinewood employed a team of onsite fire safety officers.

The report was noted.