Revenge of the Lucas: Star Wars director pledges to build affordable housing after neighbours block film studio

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

Filmmaker George Lucas is working to create affordable housing for low income earners on a piece of land he owns in Marin County in the North San Francisco Bay – after his neighbours blocked his hopes for a vast movie studio.

Darth Vader’s creator has owned the land for the past 40 years and had been trying to develop an enormous film studio on the land. However, the sci-fi pioneer’s rich neighbours scuppered the vision because of concerns over lengthy construction activity and an increase in local traffic once the studio was completed.

After years of frustration Lucas has now abandoned his plans for the Grady Ranch, and in a twist of vengance fitting of the evil Emperor Palpatine (pictured) has opted to transform the property into low-income housing - a move which is likely to displease his neighbours.

In an official statement, the Lucas enterprise said: “It is with great sadness that Skywalker Properties has decided to pull its application to build a studio facility on the old Grady Ranch.

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“We plan to sell the Grady property expecting the land will revert back to its original use for residential housing. We hope we will be able to find a developer who will  be interested in low income housing since it is scarce in Marin. If everyone feels that housing is less impactful on the land, then we are hoping that people who need it the most will benefit.”

Working with the Marin Community Foundation, Lucas has already handed over technical studies and land surveys of the ranch to assist in the development.

Reports that neighbours are also blocking Lucas’s plans to build a gigantic spherical battle station remain unfounded.