Filming for the latest series of Bridgerton at a grand country estate has angered nearby villagers, who have submitted complaints after reporting a “substantial volume of artificial smoke” coming from the Grade I-listed property.
North Mymms Park in Hertfordshire, where scenes involving the Duke of Hastings are filmed, is an Elizabethan mansion that has also featured in major productions including The Crown, Ludwig, Wonka and the new HBO series War, starring Dominic West and Sienna Miller.
The estate is now seeking retrospective planning permission to continue hosting commercial filming. The activity also covers advertising campaigns for luxury companies including Tiffany & Co and Tommy Hilfiger.
However, residents say productions at the Grade I-listed mansion have disrupted the North Mymms parish, which has fewer than 9,000 residents. Police were even called following one incident.
Their objections include large film vehicles arriving in the early hours or remaining on site late at night, along with intense lighting and what one resident described as a “foul theatrical smell”.
In a six-page letter opposing the plans, one neighbour alleged that a production had generated a “substantial volume of artificial smoke” accompanied by a “gas-like odour”.
North Mymms Park in Hertfordshire has been used for scenes featuring the Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton
A Bridgerton scene filmed in the library at North Mymms Park
A scene shot inside the Marble Hall at North Mymms Park
The resident also claimed that vehicles later revved their engines so loudly that family members and pets were “greatly disturbed”. They said the “exceptionally dry conditions” and the vehicles’ extremely hot exhaust systems appeared to create an unnecessary and potentially serious fire risk.
The incident was reported to police, who then contacted the property’s owner.
The objection also referred to repeated late-night and early-morning activity, including people gathering, talking, shouting and socialising, as well as vehicle movements at what residents called unsociable hours.
Planning agents acting for the owners, Aced Properties Ltd, rejected the residents’ concerns, despite strong support for the objections from the parish council.
They argued that the mansion would not be financially sustainable without hosting internationally recognised television productions, adding that filming provides an important boost to the local economy.
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In a planning document, the agents wrote: “The Borough Council’s Economic Development department notes that the filming use brings a ‘minor economic benefit to the Borough’ but it must be pointed out that the filming activity provides an important part of the income of the enterprise as a whole and that without this income the Grade I-listed building and its grounds could not be maintained.”
David Mitchell’s BBC series Ludwig is also filmed at the historic North Mymms Park estate
Residents say film productions at the Grade I-listed property have brought disruption to the North Mymms parish, home to fewer than 9,000 people
The document continued: “It should be emphasised that a viable use is essential for the future of North Mymms Park.
“The previous corporate use, prior to 2018, was clearly unsustainable and the building cannot rely on subsidy for its maintenance, whether by corporate owners or public money.”
The agents also dismissed the complaint about smoke from the production, saying it was “not recognised” as having originated from their site.
The companies associated with North Mymms Park are owned by businessman Chamkar Chima, with the house being used to host luxury events and weddings.
The property already has planning permission for use as a wedding venue, but this latest application to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council concentrates on ‘filming activity’.
One complaint by North Mymms Green Belt Society had raised the issue of filming being an ‘inappropriate development’ on Green Belt land, but agents said that this objection is ‘wholly misconceived’ as filming does not affect the ‘openness’ of the Green Belt.
The North Mymms Park website proudly advertises its filming successes for the likes of Netflix, Sky, HBO, Disney+, Warner Bros and Apple TV.
It boasts of room for 200 cars, ‘large areas of hard standing for unit bases’, a fibre optic line and ‘ample spaces for exterior set building’.
It continues: ‘From the grandeur of our historic Mansion House to the expansive Hertfordshire countryside beyond, North Mymms Park offers an exclusive setting for filming, photography and creative productions.
‘Set within 400 acres of private parkland, our estate combines historic architecture, beautiful gardens and versatile outdoor spaces, providing an exceptional backdrop for everything from editorial and fashion shoots to commercials, brand campaigns, product launches and film productions.’
