Studio expansion plan scaled back over costs

An approved £800m expansion of the sound stages of a world-renowned film studio is to be reviewed, a spokesperson has said.

Pinewood Studios, near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, known for the filming of the James Bond and Star Wars franchises, said it was looking to change the plans to build 21 new stages, a training hub and a publicly accessible nature reserve.

It said it was proposing to combine a "smaller film production studio with a data centre" due to a reduction in global content production, increased construction costs and business rates.

The public is being asked to give feedback at three events on 25, 26 and 27 February - and by contacting the company.

The studio group said that in 2023, planning permission was granted, but 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".

"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."

It said the expansion and investment would create more film stages and production facilities, alongside the development of a data centre.

Pinewood Studios opened in 1936 and has played host to the filming of dozens of major movie projects, as well as the Superman, James Bond and Star Wars franchises.

Chief executive officer at the Pinewood Group, David Conway, said: "We are a dynamic business in a fast-moving industry, and we are committed to invest in the ongoing expansion of Pinewood Studios.

"The reduction in global content production, combined with rising construction costs and business rates, triggered a review of our existing planning consent and we believe the revised proposals provide a credible alternative."

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