Claire Foy's new film H is for Hawk ruffling feathers on Welsh street

by · Mail Online

A new movie starring Claire Foy is causing 'chaos' in a quiet residential street where it's being filmed with locals and film crew fighting over parking spots.

Security guards brought in by the production company of the film H is for Hawk have been accused of being 'rude and aggressive'.

One security officer admitted 'things got crazy' between the film crew and local residents in the battle for parking spots.

Residents have lost their parking spaces outside their front doors and are being forced to use a Pay and Display car park paid for by the film company.

The production crew have been preparing the location in Plasturton Avenue, in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Pontcanna for almost a month.

Filming started on Monday with Ms Foy apparently unaware of the bitter dispute going on in the street outside Number 45 where the movie is being shot over the next two weeks.

One angry resident said: 'We are up in arms as the production crew have caused absolute chaos, blocking off massive areas along Plasturton gardens, Plasturton Ave and Sneyd Street.

'They are employing around the clock security to threaten residents if they attempt to park anywhere along the road. They were rude and aggressive.

Security guards brought in by the production company of the film H is for Hawk have been accused of being 'rude and aggressive'
Residents received a letter saying they wanted to reserve some on street parking spots for technical vehicles and some 'prop cars'
Two hundred yards down the street Plasturton Gardens, a pretty park used by dog walkers, has been taken over with nine parked vehicles, a portaloo and a noisy generator

'Some neighbours have been issued with threats of clamping and cars being removed by the production team. They are not in a position to do that.'

A neighbour living just yards from the film shoot said: 'Parking is difficult here at the best of times and while it's good that films like this are being made in Cardiff it is a major inconvenience.'

The hit series His Dark Materials was filmed in the same street but that all went smoothly and locals were happy to hear H is for Hawk was being filmed there.

They received a letter saying they wanted to reserve some on street parking spots for technical vehicles and some 'prop cars'.

Two classic cars, a pale blue E-type jag and a 1970s Ford Granada estate were parked outside Number 45 along with several large white vans belonging to the film crew and a catering van.

Two hundred yards down the street Plasturton Gardens, a pretty park used by dog walkers, has been taken over with nine parked vehicles, a portaloo and a noisy generator.

Several large lorries have been crammed into the street making residents worried if an emergency vehicle had to get through.

One resident said: 'You have to wonder whether this is a good location for such a big production. They've taken over a large portion of the street.

Residents have lost their parking spaces outside their front doors and are being forced to use a Pay and Display car park paid for by the film company (pictured: An E-type jag parked outside one of the residents house by the production company)  
The production crew have been preparing the location in Plasturton Avenue, in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Pontcanna for almost a month

'It's all very well saying it brings money and kudos to the area but we have to be able to get on with our lives.'

A security guard strategically positioned to stop residents taking back their parking spaces told Mail Online: 'It got a bit crazy over the weekend, some people became very annoyed.

'I understand that. We are only here for a few weeks and they(the residents) live here all year round.'

While Mail Online were at the scene, an officer from Cardiff Council arrived to confirm complaints had been made and were being investigated.

A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: 'The filming in Pontcanna has been authorised by the council and the production company has kept residents informed through a letter drop to their properties.

'We understand that the use of 40 spaces in the pay & display car park on Fields Park Road, adjacent to the Scout Hall is paid for by the production company for three weeks, may cause some inconvenience.

'However, only four permitted resident parking bays are being used for the filming, with alternative parking available for these spaces on Sneyd Street.

'The remaining parking spaces being used are on parts of the highway that are unrestricted, and the production company is also paying for these spaces.

Several large lorries have been crammed into the street making residents worried if an emergency vehicle had to get through
The hit series His Dark Materials was filmed in the same street but that all went smoothly and locals were happy to hear H is for Hawk was being filmed there

'We appreciate that film shoots can be disruptive, but they bring income to the council and help establish Cardiff as one of the best filming locations in the UK.

'We have made every effort to minimize any inconvenience and are grateful for residents' patience and understanding during the film shoot.'

The film is based on H is for Hawk, a memoir by writer Helen MacDonald and tells the story of a woman who finds peace through her relationship with a stubborn hawk called Mabel while grieving for her beloved father.

It stars The Crown actress Foy and Brendan Gleeson and is being made in association with Cardiff-based Good Gate Media.

MailOnline have approached Good Gate Media for a comment.