Beach assurance over Potter film

A beauty spot will remain open during filming of two major movies, the Pembrokeshire National Park has said.

Freshwater West is being used as a location for the final film in the Harry Potter series and a new take on Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe.

More than 700 people have joined a Facebook group worried that the beach would be off-limits in May and June.

The park authority said while filming would cause some disruption the beach and coastal path would be kept open.

Road closures will be in place for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows between May 11 and 15.

Based on the final book in the series by JK Rowling it is being split into two parts set for release in 2010 and 2011.

The Robin Hood film, which has already started filming in the UK and is directed by Sir Ridley Scott, will see further road closures between 15 and 30 June.

Pembrokeshire council cabinet member Rob Lewis said they would only take place when needed by the film crews - and would not affect pedestrians, emergency vehicles or residents.

He said the benefits of filming would outweigh any temporary disruption.

"The decision to film parts of Harry Potter and Robin Hood in our county this summer is a fantastic development, which will bring benefits to our economy and the tourist industry," he said.

"Such high profile films with big stars bring with them huge film crews which can considerably boost an area's economy.

"It will particularly help many small businesses, which need all the help they can get in these difficult times.

Responding to concerns on the Facebook site, Warner Brothers - the company behind the Harry Potter franchise - said it would have a maximum crew of 200.

It said there would be a letter drop in the local community to outline its plans and pledged the beach and dunes would be litter picked every day they were on site.

Public interest

The makers of Robin Hood, which is reported to be co-starring Cate Blanchett, are looking for around 600 extras with an open casting session at Pembroke Dock on 9 May.

A spokesperson for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said it had been in close contact with the film makers.

"Following an approach by a film company we are working with Pembrokeshire council, the National Trust and the Angle Estate to accommodate the shooting of scenes for a Robin Hood film at Freshwater West," it said

"We recognise that the filming will inevitably cause some disruption in the area as well as great public interest.

"The beach itself and the coast path will however remain open to the public throughout this period and we are working with the film company and all the other organisations involved to ensure that the public's right of access to the path and the beach are respected during this time."

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Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
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Harry Potter
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