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Pinewood Studios expansion plan blocked by local council Pinewood Studios expansion plan blocked by local council
(4 months later)
Pinewood Studios, home to the James Bond franchise, has had its £200m Hollywood-style expansion plan for its premises blocked by the local authority.Pinewood Studios, home to the James Bond franchise, has had its £200m Hollywood-style expansion plan for its premises blocked by the local authority.
Pinewood, which will be vying to be part of JJ Abrams' Star Wars movie to be filmed next year, had its planning permission application turned down by South Buckinghamshire district council, losing the bid by six votes against four in favour.Pinewood, which will be vying to be part of JJ Abrams' Star Wars movie to be filmed next year, had its planning permission application turned down by South Buckinghamshire district council, losing the bid by six votes against four in favour.
The council stated that it had concerns over the development of 100 acres (more than 40 hectares) of green belt land, which would double the size of Pinewood's studio capacity.The council stated that it had concerns over the development of 100 acres (more than 40 hectares) of green belt land, which would double the size of Pinewood's studio capacity.
Pinewood's chairman, Lord Grade, the former BBC and ITV chief, criticised the decision as irrational and depressing.Pinewood's chairman, Lord Grade, the former BBC and ITV chief, criticised the decision as irrational and depressing.
He said: "I am very disappointed we could only convince four of the 10 [council members] that voted, that it is important to create jobs and invest in the creative industries.He said: "I am very disappointed we could only convince four of the 10 [council members] that voted, that it is important to create jobs and invest in the creative industries.
"It was depressing listening to the irrational, rather emotional reason for blocking it. It was not based on fact.""It was depressing listening to the irrational, rather emotional reason for blocking it. It was not based on fact."
Pinewood has warned that film-making capacity in the UK is at its limit, and that if the studios are not allowed to expand then the makers of blockbuster films, such as the Bond franchise, could be forced to look overseas.Pinewood has warned that film-making capacity in the UK is at its limit, and that if the studios are not allowed to expand then the makers of blockbuster films, such as the Bond franchise, could be forced to look overseas.
"The world is crying out for jobs and investment and we hand it to them on a plate," Grade said. "We will consult our lawyers but I'd be very surprised if we didn't appeal.""The world is crying out for jobs and investment and we hand it to them on a plate," Grade said. "We will consult our lawyers but I'd be very surprised if we didn't appeal."
Pinewood claims that it will create 3,000 new jobs and £150m a year for the UK economy.Pinewood claims that it will create 3,000 new jobs and £150m a year for the UK economy.
The studio will now have to make its case to Eric Pickles, the communities minister, who ruled against an earlier version of the development plan last January.The studio will now have to make its case to Eric Pickles, the communities minister, who ruled against an earlier version of the development plan last January.
Pinewood's last application encountered stiff resistance at every stage of the planning process.Pinewood's last application encountered stiff resistance at every stage of the planning process.
The local community took exception to Pinewood's proposed housing to be included in a mix of "streetscapes" that would be used as movie sets; almost 300 letters of objection were sent to the council. There was a vociferous "Stop Project Pinewood" campaigning group.The local community took exception to Pinewood's proposed housing to be included in a mix of "streetscapes" that would be used as movie sets; almost 300 letters of objection were sent to the council. There was a vociferous "Stop Project Pinewood" campaigning group.
Pinewood scrapped the housing element and a charm offensive of the local community appeared to have paid off; the council received more than a third fewer objection letters, compared with when the original application was submitted, and many more letters of support.Pinewood scrapped the housing element and a charm offensive of the local community appeared to have paid off; the council received more than a third fewer objection letters, compared with when the original application was submitted, and many more letters of support.
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