Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Chris Duncan, Surrey County Council, Abigail Grealey, Surrey County Council, Pat Cheeseman, Littleton Residents Association, David Furst, Laleham Residents Association, and Carl Phillips, Shepperton Residents Association.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an overview of construction progress and programme.

The Chair invited Matthew Wright, Head of Planning and Technical Development, Pinewood Studios, to give a presentation that covered the agenda items for the meeting.

On the North-West site the buildings and landscaping were substantially complete as was the road realignment. The north backlot would be completed in November. There was some remaining work to be done on the raised tables on the road.

On Shepperton South the vehicle bridge link to the North-West site was complete and the internal (private) road for Studio traffic would become operational in the new year.

In November the lettering for the ‘Shepperton Studios’ sign at the main entrance, would be placed.

The South site would also have a 2,500 sq ft area which would be available for community events.

To receive anupdate on landscaping, bunds, and planting.

Final tree-planting on the North-West site would take place in October-November 2023.

Final landscaping for the South site would take place in November-December 2023.

To receive a progress update on the works surrounding the River Ash.

The footpath and footbridge around the River Ash had now been completed and provided a 1.75km walking route for the local community.

£20,000 per year for 15 years would be provided to Spelthorne Borough Council for maintenance and future works.

To receive an update around community matters.

Dan Burton provided an update on Community Matters.

£180,000 had been given to Spelthorne Borough Council for improvements to three play areas in Shepperton, Laleham and Charlton Village.

The third round of grants had been opened for the Shepperton Community Fund. Local charities could apply for up to £10,000. The fund was ringfenced for those charities within Spelthorne.

A screening of ‘The Greatest Showman – Sing Along’ had been put on at Laleham pavilion and had been attended by around 700 residents.

The Studio had funded the purchase and installation of new lights for Shepperton Big Tree Night. 

Boxes of Stationary and a Studio branded clock had been gifted to Saxon Primary School.

Announcements would be made within the next two months on the Virtual Academy and various educational funds.

To receive an update on communications.

There was no Communications Update.

To receive a progress update on off-site highways works.

Matthew Wright gave an update on the Off-Site Highway Works and advised that roads were 10-15% quieter than pre-Covid levels.

Councillor Clarke expressed that residents became frustrated when they did not see anyone working on the roadworks. Matthew explained that they had worked closely with the Environmental Health Officer at Spelthorne Borough Council to ensure they could work as much time as possible, with shifts from 7:00am – 7:00pm at present.

The off-site utility works would be completed by end of October.

Councillor Attewell asked why the works for Junction Three would be left so late and was informed that it would not be possible to do it sooner as it would clash with the works at Junctions Four and One.

The work on the Littleton Lane roundabout (Junction 4) would include drainage work outside residences.

The work at Junction 1 would last a total of nine months – 3 months offline, 6 months online.

Derek Ferguson, Charlton Village RA, advised that the ‘no right-hand turn’ sign at Junction 7 was too far from the lights. Matthew reported that this had been picked up in the stage 3 audit and would be addressed.

Residents queried the lighting in the Multistorey Car Park and expressed concern that light could intrude on certain residents. Matthew advised that the lights in the car park were motion sensitive and would go off after 20 minutes of inactivity. He further stated that most employees would leave the site between 5.00pm and 6.00pm. The group were advised that should a resident have an issue with the lighting that they should contact the Studio so that it could be addressed.

Colin Barnard raised an issue regarding the camber of the main roundabout outside the entrance to the Studios. The Group were advised that there was a 1.5m difference in the level of the roundabout from North to South but that all technical guidelines had been adhered.

Matthew informed the group that further work on the roundabout would begin 3 October 2023, this would be on the road approaching the roundabout from Laleham. Matthew also confirmed that there was signage on the approach to the roundabout informing drivers of the new layout and to slow down.

It was agreed that the roundabout would be discussed with the Road Safety Team from Surrey County Council.

To receive an update on other planning matters.

There were no planning matters to discuss

For any other business to be raised.

The Group were advised that the official opening of the Studio was aimed for Spring 2024.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be set for November/December 2023.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Ken Snaith, Shepperton Resident’s Association, queried whether the grass verges on Laleham Road could be addressed as they had been reduced to flat mud and needed to be re-seeded. It was agreed that this would be addressed.