19th Jun 2014 09:27
LONDON (Alliance News) - Film and television studio company Pinewood Shepperton PLC Thursday said the UK government has granted planning permission for its planned expansion of its studios site in Buckinghamshire, ending years of legal wrangling and protests over the plans.
The company is planning to double the size of Pinewood Studios, the centre of the UK's television and film industry, by adding 100,000 square metres of new studios, stages, workshops and production office.
The plans have faced stiff opposition from a determined group of locals, who fear that increased traffic will blight access to the site through the village of Iver Heath and the physical expansion will blight surrounding countryside. Pinewood's plans had to be changed and scaled back in 2012 after an earlier version was rejected by Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government , because of the damage they would cause green-belt land.
"As a result of today's green light from the Secretary of State, thousands of much needed new jobs will be created in this growing sector of the economy. We want to begin construction as soon as possible. I'd like to thank colleagues both within and outside the industry, for the tremendous support they have given the project."
Pinewood Shepperton shares were up 3% at 425 pence Thursday morning.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @SteveMcGrath1
Copyright 2014 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
PWS.L