More than 1,000 homes dropped from Pinewood Studios expansion plans

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

More than 1,000 homes have been dropped from plans for the expansion of Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, it has been confirmed.

A previous planning application submitted by Pinewood Shepperton included new housing as part of a £200 million expansion but it was rejected by the local council - a decision supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

News of a further planning application was revealed at the group's Annual General Meeting on Tuesday by Pinewood Shepperton Plc chairman Michael Grade. It is believed the housing element has been removed completely in a bid to ensure a safe passage.

Michael Grade told the AGM: "A long term plan for growth and investment at Pinewood Studios is necessary to remain globally competitive and respond to the changing needs and future demand of the screen and digital industries."

The studio's original 'Project Pinewood' scheme would have seen a 100-acre set - including replicas of city centres such as Paris, Venice and New York - built in Iver Heath next to the studios' current site. Pinewood claimed it would have created 1,000 jobs and provided 1,400 permanent live-in apartments and houses for film workers, as well as a school, theatre, cinema and sports facilities.

But in its judgement, CLG said the project would be "inappropriate in the green belt".

In May, the group revealed the decision cost the company £7.1m and announced a public consultation about its future development, covering the existing site and adjacent land.

Pinewood Studios, which have been operating for more than 75 years, is probably best known for James Bond films, including 'The Spy Who Loved Me', 'A View To A Kill' and 'Quantum Of Solace'. The latest Bond film 'Skyfall' has also been made there.