Economic Impact: Film and Photography

Shropshire is used regularly for location shooting by film  and TV companies who want to project the image of unspoilt English countryside - favourites filmed in the area include Howards End, Atonement, and Clockwise, as well as the TV comedy ‘Boysie’. This, in turn, contributes greatly to the local economy and tourism, with many visitors wanting to see the locations where films were shot.

Turning the landscape around Bridgnorth into an industrial wind turbine landscape would greatly damage opportunities to shoot period films, or do landscape photography, another important source of local revenue.

Case Study: Atonement

An example of the potential for this area is illustrated by the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel, Atonement, which was filmed at Stokesay Court, Shropshire, a choice that was made precisely because of the unspoilt landscape around Stokesay Court, in Craven Arms, also in South Shropshire. 'The economic impact of the film was felt throughout the locality' states English Heritage in its 2011-2015 economic planning and strategy document, 'A Strategy for the West Midlands'. The paper added that the total benefit to the local economy of shooting Atonement in was around £1.3 million.

The resulting publicity has enabled the owner of Stokesay Court to open the house to the public and has greatly enhanced local tourism in the area, as well as providing funds for much needed historical restoration. Siting the turbines at Upton Cressett will compromise possibilities for historical cinematic production in the area.

Photo: Fliming Atonement at Stokesay Court