The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, has decided not to call in Pinewood Studios’ expansion plans clearing the way for Buckinghamshire Council to issue planning permission. The Council resolved to grant planning permission for the 1.4 million sq ft scheme including a publicly accessible nature reserve and 21 new purpose-built sound stages in February of this year.
This decision will allow the expansion to proceed and deliver substantial economic and social benefits for the county and region – creating over 8,000 new jobs and injecting £640 million a year into the UK economy. Once the development is complete, Pinewood Studios will be the biggest studio complex in the world, with a total of 51 purpose-built stages.
The consent also allows Pinewood to deliver a 63 acre nature reserve at Alderbourne Farm, north of the existing studio site. The publicly accessible reserve will protect existing habitats and enhance local biodiversity, as well as provide new footpaths, thereby creating a community asset.
The approved expansion will directly address the continued growth in demand for production accommodation in the UK.
“We are delighted with the Secretary of State’s decision and look forward to progressing with our planned development. We will continue to work with Buckinghamshire Council and the local community on the details of the scheme.”
Andrew M Smith OBE DL
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Corporate Affairs Director