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Team erect set for Hollywood film Rush at Blackbushe airport
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Film crew moves onto Blackbushe airfield

By Tim Tonkin
January 18, 2012

PRODUCERS behind the upcoming Ron Howard film Rush, have cleared one hurdle in their bid to use part of Blackbushe airport as a movie set.

Approval to use the former runway sites for a five-month filming project was given by Hart District Council, following a report by planning officer Robert Jackson.

The decision means that the words ‘lights, camera, action’ could soon be the buzz words ringing out from the common, which is set to see the construction of a ‘fake’ racing track.

The project has seen a fair degree of vocal support from many people living in the Yateley area, many of whom welcome the prospect of a big name Hollywood director coming to their town, and the potential prosperity production crews may bring.

The film aims to recreate the events of the 1976 Formula 1 Championship which saw rival drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt vie for supremacy on the track.

However, somewhat in keeping with the film’s name, a number of people and organisations have continued to express concern over the speed with which the project has been progressed, with work on part of the site starting up on Monday.

Approval for the application, which was granted without even being referred to Hart’s planning committee, was granted last Thursday, despite objections from groups including Natural England, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, over a lack of information as to how filming might impact on the location’s important wildlife.

Peter Tipton, on behalf of the Yateley Society, had previously outlined seven reasons why he felt permission would need to be secured ahead of set construction and filming, including the need to gain authorisation from the secretary of state to fence off designated common land.

In the conclusions to his report however, Mr Jackson said that the “provision of a film set for a maximum of five months” would not lead to a detrimental impact on local ecology, character or appearance of the site or public rights of way, and should therefore not stand in the way of conditional approval being granted.

Barry Moody, a member of the Yateley Society, said that he was concerned that work was already taking place, suggesting that this appeared to be contrary to the conditions of approval set out by Hart District. He said: “Planning permission was given by Hart on January 12 and one of the conditions is a 21-day period before construction can commence. This is a requirement of the Countryside and Wildlife Act but also allows a period of time when theoretically the application could be called in by the secretary of state.

“However, this condition has been ignored and work started on January 16. We are currently waiting to hear how this situation not only occurred but was allowed to occur.”

Daryl Phillips, Hart’s head of planning services, confirmed that work currently on-going at the site was not in breach of the conditions of approval.

He said: “The applicant is only working on the tarmaced areas and not on the grass. This is not affecting any ecology and we have no reason to stop them.”

A total of 18 letters in support of the project were received by Hart, including one from district councillor Colin Ive, with the council also receiving 17 letters objecting to the plans.

Jonah Coombes, location manager for Rush Films, said: “For the most part our experience thus far is that there are lots of very supportive members of the community made themselves known to us, and and we are enjoying a sense of people being supportive and very happy to see us there.

“We are still discussing our requirements with the relevant people and hoping to secure the community benefits we have been discussing during the planning process.”

Mr Coombes said that while no filming was set to take place for many weeks, production staff had begun to make contact with local schools and colleges over setting up work experience for youngsters on set. “At the end of the day we believe this is something of good value to the local community.”

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Totally agree with Betty & Darren G. Who are these people who have to stir the pot. We live in a fantastic area with plenty of places to walk dogs. I live in Tolpuddle Way, 1/4 of a mile up the road is a mini wilderness. Its free to walk there as well, Sado's.

EBEEJEEBZ, Yateley
06/02/2012 at 14:36

Hear hear to all the above. Well done HART planning - common sense on the common. Perhaps we can combine some fast cars with the excellent model aircraft display that is scheduled for Saturday May 19th.

Doctor G, Yateley
31/01/2012 at 20:11

I cannot wait for filming to start. This is exactly what Yateley needs to put it on the map and inject some money into the local economy.

Should this be a success which I'm sure it will, future TV programmes, films, commercials etc. may possibly use Yateley as a location bringing in even more money. This has happend at a number of towns in Cornwall and has really boosted the economy and also created a great atmosphere within the community down there with the anticipation of what film or TV series is going to use their local area next!

Andy84, Yateley
22/01/2012 at 20:35

Congratulations to Hart Planning Committee for making a very sensible decision. Financial, Environmental and Educational benefits to the local area will be felt following this outcome.

I am a dog lover and have walked this area for the past 25-30 years on an almost daily basis, and those who state that there is nowhere else to walk are simply deluded. There are hundreds of acres of Common land available, all they have to do is walk in a different direction for 5 months or so. Big Deal!! Look around you, all you have to do is walk another path to normal, enjoy the whole Common not just a small section.

Financial, as this will bring much needed income into the local economy, helping the shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels etc. gain new trade.

Environmental, as the restriction of movement over small areas of heathland will prevent the hundreds of dogs that appear each week, courtesy of professional dog walkers, over the Spring/Summer, disturbing the nesting of the endangered bird life. This surely will improve the birds' chances of breeding, not reduce it.

Educational, as many local Schools and Colleges will have the chance to bring their students to observe the work and learn from the experience. Opportunities such as this are few and far between for kids nowadays and are far too valuable to miss. Who knows, it might even inspire somebody local into taking up a career path.

I suspect that many of the NIMBY's complaining, never use the Common, and some would need a SATNAV even to find it! If they get their way, these benefits will go elsewhere and our local area will be the poorer.

Well done Hart, please keep grabbing all the opportunities such as this with open arms.

1011Plumber, Yateley
21/01/2012 at 23:27

I live across the road and agree with all above, fully support such an exciting event for us locals!

Amazing we haven't heard anything until now though.

Cheers,

Steve

CalLookUK, Yateley
20/01/2012 at 20:01

As a long term resident of Yateley who uses the airfield for dog walking most days, I just don't understand the narrow minded, pettiness of some people. It's a temporary film set, not a permanent housing estate or a by-pass cutting through the countryside. The structures are on the tarmac, not the grass and quoting from the above .... Daryl Phillips, Hart’s head of planning services, confirmed that work currently on-going at the site was not in breach of the conditions of approval. So the film company have done absolutely nothing wrong and the local schools, businesses and community will benefit (maybe not financially in some cases, but experiences like this are priceless). The wildlife won't be affected any more than with constant planes and helicopters taking off and landing, dogs running around freely, horse riders using the area, not to mention the fly tipping, the cars, motorbikes and quad bikes that race around illegally and the fires that break out over the summer. Where are all the objectors the rest of the year when these 'real' issues need addressing? Roll on the filming I say and all those not in favour need to 'Get a life'.

Betty B
19/01/2012 at 23:03

Darren, You hit the nail on the head with all your comments. As a regular user of the area for walking my dogs I can't wait to see it all happen. I've dodged 4x4s, motorbikes etc up there and they go across the grass/heather areas. If the local wildlife can cope with this intrusion then the filming which is restricted to the tarmac areas isn't going to cause a problem at all. SimonB Yateley

simon bool
19/01/2012 at 19:26

What a load of Nimby's. It's only for a short period, it's next to an airfield so any noise can hardly be more than that of the aircraft movements or the Sunday market.

Some people will moan about anything, always the same, people with too much time on their hands. Victor Meldrew's!

If it gives people a chance to see and get involved in the film making, as well as bringing some cash to loacl businesses, hotels, restaurants etc then good for them.