Pinewood Studios submits new planning application for Screen Hub

Pinewood Studios has submitted a planning application for an expanded Screen Hub scheme of 1.4 million sq ft and a nature reserve to Buckinghamshire Council.

The expanded scheme is located across two sites; land to the south of the Studios referred to as ‘Pinewood South’ and ‘Alderbourne Farm’ to the north.

The ‘Pinewood South’ studios scheme would deliver 20 new purpose-built sound stages with workshops and offices on 82 acres of land to the south of the existing studios. The £800m scheme is estimated to create over 8,000 new jobs and add around £640m p.a. to economic productivity (GVA).

The proposals include an education / training hub intended to be run by the National Film and Television School and a business growth hub supported by Creative UK & Buckinghamshire Business First. Together they form ‘Centre Stage’ which is designed to support skills development and start-ups for the film industry.

A nature reserve of 64 acres on land to the north of the Studios at Alderbourne Farm is proposed to be part of the biodiversity net gains from the development. The site would also deliver a new backlot and workshop complex based on the former farm buildings.

The world-class film and TV studios in Buckinghamshire, home to Disney, Marvel, LucasFilm and the James Bond films, were granted planning permission in April 2022 for a screen industries growth hub known as Screen Hub UK and a film inspired visitor attraction on the same site.

The revised scheme is a result of feedback from Pinewood Group’s customers, the wider industry and local community. It will, in particular, help to address the shortage of studio space in the UK.

The new scheme would bring the total number of purpose-built sound stages at Pinewood to 50, maintaining the iconic Studios’ position at the heart of the British Film Industry.