Monday 24 February 2025
Future Options
In 2023, the Land to the South of Pinewood Studios was granted planning permission for a 1.4 million square foot studio development. Since there has been a reduction in global film and high-end television production which has triggered a review of our existing planning consent.
In response and considering national economic and planning policy, we are reviewing development options for Pinewood South and are looking at a proposal to combine a smaller film production studio with a data centre.
These uses are a compelling blend of two of the Government’s key focus industries (digital and technologies and the creative industries) as set out in their Modern Industrial Strategy.
See full Illustrative layout
Illustrative layout
Data centre
Under our new proposals Pinewood South would be split into two parts. The south of the site will comprise a data centre and associated infrastructure, to respond to local and national needs, whilst the north will be for sound stages, production offices, workshops and backlot.
The data centre development would be a collection of buildings, within the same parameters as those approved under the 2023 studios scheme at Pinewood South, including the same landscape buffers and location of the Peace Path from the previous scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
The proposals – data centre
The proposal is for development of a data centre on land at Pinewood South (off Pinewood Road and Slough Road).
Under our new proposals, Pinewood South would be split into two parts. The south of the site will comprise a data centre and associated infrastructure, whilst the north will be for film studios, and could comprise sound stages, production offices, workshops and a backlot.
The data centre development could be a collection of buildings, but it would be within the same parameters as those approved under the 2023 studios scheme at Pinewood South, including the same landscape buffers, development parcels and building heights. The data centre development would include cooling and air handling plant which may be located behind screening on the buildings or at ground level.
Since the planning permission was granted in 2023, there has been a reduction in global film and high-end television production which has triggered a review of our existing planning consent.
In response and considering national economic and planning policy, we are reviewing development options for Pinewood South and are looking at a proposal to combine a smaller film production studio with a data centre.
These uses are a blend of two of the Government’s key focus industries (digital and technologies and the creative industries) as set out in their Modern Industrial Strategy.
The entire project will be privately funded.
A data centre is a large building or collection of buildings that organisations and individuals use to house their critical software applications and data. It is a network of computing and storage resources that deliver shared applications and storage including routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, servers and controllers. Data centres are the hubs for cloud computing
Data centre facilities store and process vast amounts of data – powering everything from online shopping to government and NHS operations.
They serve as the backbone for cloud computing and AI advancements globally and are essential to the UK economy.
We are all increasingly reliant upon data centre facilities.
Data centres have very particular locational requirements. They need to be located where they have the necessary power, high speed network (connectivity) and other associated fibre infrastructures to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
Pinewood South is situated within one of the UK’s most important data centre submarkets, known as an Availability Zone.
Data centres are an essential part of a modern technological infrastructure.
Meeting this demand here is necessary for the UK to retain its competitive edge and appeal to data centre operators, as well as to uphold the UK’s top position in the European digital economy. Without it, operators are likely to go elsewhere in Europe.
The data centre could be a collection of large buildings (similar to the sound stages at Pinewood) which would be the data halls and would sit alongside, offices, support buildings and associated infrastructure (power, transmission, parking etc). The actual appearance of the buildings would be for the next stage of the application process, the reserved matters.
An operator is not yet known. Pinewood Studios will control the process of obtaining planning permission and bringing forward the scheme.
We are anticipating submitting an outline planning application in the summer with a decision at the end of this year 2025. There will then need to be a further application for the details, including the appearance of the buildings.
How soon it is developed will depend on the availability of a power supply. The Government has committed to the provision of power for national infrastructure such as this which could see the scheme developed and operational within 5 years.
Further assessments will be undertaken regarding the use of solar power.
The length of construction has yet to be determined, but it can take anything up to 5 years.
There is not a decision yet on how the data centre would be cooled. We would expect that information to be assessed within the planning application documents before commencement.
No. we are not aware that other Data Centre projects have offered this, as they are not power generating projects.
The proposals – Film studios
The most recent planning permission for Pinewood South (in 2023) was for 1.4m sq ft of studios and related facilities. Since then, there has been a reduction in global film and high-end television production which has triggered a review of our existing planning consent.
The studio scheme could include around 300,000 square feet of studio development comprising of five film stages, production offices, workshops and a backlot. This form of development already has planning permission (granted in 2023) and we are working on the detailed layout.
Pinewood remains committed to expanding its role as a leading global hub for film and television production, fostering innovation, supporting local industries, and enhancing cultural influence on the international stage.
The film studio will be started when there is a commercial user agreed.
We are working on the details but the scheme
studio space could include:
- 5 film stages
- Production offices
- Workshops
- A backlot
The changes
The most notable change will be a significant reduction in the amount of traffic generated (including significant reductions in HGVs) compared to the schemes that have been approved. Whilst the impact on the highway network will be much lower, there remains a commitment to provide transport improvements, including the Sevenhills Road upgrade when the studios are developed.
The ecological/environmental impacts will be broadly similar and previously agreed mitigation repeated. This will include a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity from on and off-site provision. The Alderbourne Farm nature reserve will still be delivered under either the data centre or film studio scheme.
The specific impacts of the data centre in relation to noise and air quality are under assessment with plans to mitigate as has been agreed on other data centre schemes in South Bucks.
Benefits
The development of the studios would bring forward the benefits and improvements linked to the past approval but now to be shared with the data centre. These include:
- economic benefits and jobs – including in construction, technology, and supporting industries.
- sustainable transport / active travel improvements
- traffic calming measures for Iver Heath and Fulmer
- environment/ecological improvements
the Alderbourne Nature Reserve
The delivery of benefits and improvements will be divided between the data centre and studio scheme. The data centre scheme provides an opportunity to increase the scale of the benefits which will be the subject of consultation as the application is progressed.
highways and access
The new scheme is anticipated to be accessed from Pinewood Road and Slough Road.
A data centre scheme would significantly reduce traffic generation in comparison to the previously granted permissions for the site (including fewer HGVs). Traffic calming measures are proposed in Iver Heath and Fulmer.
The location is already served by extensive fibre connections which might need to be supplemented by the scheme.
The Five Points Roundabout is the permitted mitigation for the PSDF and is a committed scheme.
The data centre will not require the Sevenhills Road improvements but it is likely to be implemented with further studios development.
Next steps
A consultation process has now commenced as we prepare a planning application. This includes:
- Meetings with political representatives
- Raising awareness amongst the community via press release and letter distribution
- Hosting information and seeking feedback via the Pinewood Studios website to register for updates: https://pinewoodgroup.com/ pinewood-studios/community/
- Hosting events. So far we have one live webinar and Q&A session from 25 – 27 February. A recording of this event is available to view on the webpage.
- We will be hosting further consultation events on June 10,11 & 12.
- Filling out a feedback form, emailing us or calling our project telephone number.
- You can feedback throughout the process by emailing contact@pinewoodsouth.co.uk
More information will be shared with the community in the spring before submitting an outline planning application to Buckinghamshire Council later in the summer. Buckinghamshire Council will then undertake a formal stage of consultation before making decision on the application.
Further information is available at https://pinewoodgroup.com/ pinewood-studios/community/
You can contact us by:
- emailing contact@pinewoodsouth.co.uk
Calling 0808 1688 296 and a member of the project team will call you back
Please find a Link HERE to our online public meeting that took place on Tuesday 25 February 2025
Benefits
- A significant reduction in traffic compared to the permitted scheme.
- A continued commitment to necessary highway improvements, including the Sevenhills Road upgrade when the studios are developed.
- Sustainable transport improvements, including financial contributions to local walking, cycling and public transport enhancements in Iver.
- Creating new jobs in construction, technology, and supporting industries.
- Delivery of up to a 20% net gain in biodiversity and other environmental enhancements.
- The Alderbourne Farm Nature Reserve would still be delivered.
- Position the UK in good stead with ambitious plans to become a world leader in digital infrastructure.
- Continue to support creative industries by retaining opportunity for further studio space.
Access and movement
The new scheme will result in a reduction in the amount of traffic generated (including fewer HGVs) compared to the previous planning permissions for the site. We remain committed to providing sustainable transport improvements in the Iver, Iver Heath and Fulmer areas (including financial contributions to local walking, cycling and public transport enhancements).
The signal improvement scheme at the Five Points Roundabout is a committed scheme to mitigate the impacts of the past Pinewood expansions. We are hoping that works on the roundabout will start later this year.
The new scheme is anticipated to retain the same points of access onto the highway network as already approved:
- Two accesses onto Pinewood Road.
- A left in/left out access on to the A412 Uxbridge Road.
Transport Assessment
The scheme will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment, which is currently being prepared. Initial traffic impact calculations show:
- Approximately a 60% reduction in traffic generated by the site compared with the Pinewood South and Alderbourne Farm scheme.
- A reduction in traffic at weekends.
- The local highway network will work better than it does now with the committed and proposed highways improvements.
Birds eye view of Pinewood Studios
Let us know what you think
- What is the most important issue for you with the scheme as a whole?
- Do you prefer a data centre to a film studio on the Pinewood South site (as shown on plan)?
- How would you like the data centre to look?
- What are the most important and valuable benefits you wish to see come with the development?
- Are there any other matters you would like us to take into account?
- How can we communicate better with you and the local community?
Film Studios
Our latest thoughts for the studio scheme is that it could include around 300,000 square feet of studio development comprising of five film stages, production offices, workshops and a backlot.
This form of development already has planning permission (granted in 2023) and we are working on the detailed layout.
Pinewood remains committed to expanding its role as a leading global hub for film and television production, attracting top-tier talent, cutting-edge technology, and significant investment, while fostering innovation, supporting local industries, and enhancing cultural influence on the international stage.
The scheme would be assisted by the data centre and will be started when there is a commercial user agreed.
See full Illustrative layout
Illustrative layout
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Your views are important to us and we will consider them as we continue to progress our plans.
We value your feedback
There are many ways we are engaging with local stakeholders and residents. We will continue to share more details on our plans over the coming months. You can register on the website to be kept up to date as we progress with this scheme.
Attend an event:
Webinar event – Tuesday 25 February, 12:30 – 1:30pm
In person event – Wednesday 26 February, 2:30 – 6:30pm at Iver Heath Village Hall
In person event – Thursday 27 February, 3:30 – 7:30pm at Pinewood Studios
Contact us:
- Email: contact@pinewoodsouth.co.uk
- Call our Freephone number, 0808 1688 296, and a member of the project team will call you back
What happens next?
We will consider your feedback as we progress our plans over the coming months. We will share more information and detail regarding the proposals with the community in the Spring / before submitting an outline planning application to Buckinghamshire Council later this year. Buckinghamshire Council will then undertake a formal stage of consultation before making a decision on the application.
PINEWOOD STUDIOS DEVELOPMENTS
There have been a series of applications at Pinewood Studios over the past few years which are at various stages of planning. These are separate from the proposals on which we are seeking your feedback. Here is an update:
- Temporary backlot (An outdoor area used for shooting scenes that require specific sets or locations) – this is ‘permitted development’, and allows for the area to be used for a period of 12 months within the next 27 months.
- Temporary car park Pinewood East planning permission has been granted
- Multistorey car park Planning permission has been granted. A decision on if this is built will be taken later this year
- Sevenhills Road improvements Planning permission to improve Sevenhills Road was granted in May 2021 but has now lapsed. A new application for the same improvements is currently with the Council with a decision anticipated shortly.
- Five Points Roundabout Buckinghamshire Council are currently undertaking survey and drainage works before Pinewood Studios can deliver the works for which there is planning permission. We are hoping to start the improvements works in autumn 2025.
- Screen Hub UK (SHUK) This is the original application for Pinewood South for the visitor attraction and studios. We have recently submitted a reserved matters application for the first phase of development which comprises the landscape buffer zones along Pinewood Road. This was approved in 2021.
- Pinewood South Studios Hub (PSSH) This is the second application for Pinewood South and Alderbourne Farm, which approved 1.4 million square feet of production studio facilities, including a backlot and workshop at Alderbourne Farm and a nature reserve. This was approved in 2023.
PINEWOOD IN THE COMMUNITY
Pinewood is dedicated to supporting its local community by fostering creativity, providing job opportunities, and promoting economic growth. Through partnerships with local charities, education programmes, and community events, the studio strives to make a positive, lasting impact.
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