Film industry experts’ and residents’ fears have been confirmed this week, as it emerged a property developer plans to redevelop Twickenham Studios.

Developer Taylor Wimpey intends to develop the land into a site that provides employment and residential buildings.

David Brown, regional land and planning director for Taylor Wimpey, said: “Taylor Wimpey and the current owners of Twickenham Film Studios are exploring the potential for the site to be redeveloped for a mixed use scheme, providing employment space alongside a mixture of residential dwellings.”

Industry experts worldwide and residents have spoken out about the sale of the studios through a petition and campaign, which both launched this week.

The Save Twickenham Studios petition was launched online last weekend and already has 1,100 signatures.

Post-production supervisor Maria Walker created the petition after working as a freelancer at the studios for 28 years, in which time she said she had seen it drift into decline through lack of care and poor management.

She said: “I am angry at the idea that something that is such a landmark in the film industry and for the borough could be disregarded so easily.

“My frustration is shared by many in the business but I suppose because I live in St Margarets and see it every day my feelings are compounded. It would be heartbreaking to see it go.”

Ms Walker has contacted St Margarets and North Twickenham councillors, Councillor Geoff Acton and Councillor Chris Harrison, Twickenham MP Vince Cable and Jeremy Hunt on the issue.

Councillor Chris Harrison told residents that all the ward councillors were in favour of the studios remaining in business, but because the council did not own the site, it had no power over who the studios are sold to.

Film director and head of Actaeon Films, Daniel Cormack, started the Save the Twickenham Film Studios campaign this week.

Mr Cormack said: “Taylor Wimpey must understand that everyone who cares about the heritage of the British film industry and its future are implacably opposed to their plans.

“A change of use to mixed use will put further pressure on already stretched local amenities and would destroy a world-renowned institution at a time when the government is actively seeking overseas investment in the British film industry and its facilities.

“We will use all means at our disposal to oppose this sale and the planned redevelopment of the site.”

Twickenham Film Studios recently went into administration and its finances are currently being managed by Begbies Traynor.

The petition can be found at ipetitions.com/petition/save-twickenham-film-studios.