In a move that will buoy the construction industry in Buckinghamshire and the South East, the government has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the iconic Pinewood Studios.

 

South Buckinghamshire District Council had previously turned down the £200million plans at Iver Heath calling them “inappropriate” and the studios submitted its appeal to the Planning Inspectorate the following May.

 

Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton PLC, said: "Our project builds on the success of the Government's policy for the creative industries and addresses the shortage of stage space in the UK.

 

"As a result of the green light from the secretary of state, thousands of much needed new jobs will be created in this growing sector of the economy."

 

The development will see the construction of around 100,000 square metres of new facilities including 12 large stages, workshops and production offices, in a project that will be spread over 15 years.