The fresh changes to Pinewood Studios' already permitted plans could see an open-air filming space and even a nature reserve for the public.

Pinewood Studios is set to evolve its current expansion plans for film industry hub called Screen Hub UK.

Pinewood was given green light from Buckinghamshire Council in April for the original Screen Hub scheme, comprising the phased development of a total of 750,000 sqft.

This includes a visitor attraction in a series of buildings (The Pinewood Studios Experience), film production studios and education and business growth hub known as ‘Centre Stage’.

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Now, the Iver- based Pinewood Studios is getting ready to make changes to further evolve the Screen Hub scheme to respond to demand in the booming UK film industry.

Pinewood Studios Chairman Paul Golding said: “We have listened to the feedback regarding development at Pinewood Studios and the need for further studio space.

“We are looking at how our plans can evolve to deliver this with improved benefits for the community and our customers.

“We will invite the local community to share their views with us on the emerging ideas and how all the benefits of the permitted Screen Hub UK scheme can be retained to continue to strengthen UK film and bring much needed jobs, skills and spending as well as local ecological benefits.”

Their changes include more studio space, taking forward Centre Stage and holding the visitor attraction as an option.

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In addition, Pinewood is set to propose an open-air filming space, with workshop buildings, landscaping and parking space on Alderbourne Farm land owned by Pinewood.

Pinewood Studios also wants to propose the creation of a nature reserve for the public on the majority of the farm land.

Bucks Council said: “The Council has not received a planning application at this stage, however the Council is aware that Pinewood are looking at alternative proposals.”

When the original scheme was agreed in December, Independent Cllr Paul Griffin said the scheme “at best, will disable a large community – and at worst, congest the roads, pollute the air, destroy fragile Green Belt, compromise mental and physical health, and undermine the hopes and dreams of probably two, maybe even three generations of Bucks residents”.

Despite the development being on Green Belt land and resulting as "substantial spatial and visual harm", in the end the planning officers found the benefits of the scheme to outweigh the harms. 

While the applications are being prepared, consultations with the community and wider stakeholders is set to start over the coming weeks, Pinewood Studios said.

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