Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath

IVE01: Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath a) Strategic role and principle of development Pinewood Studios is designated as a Strategic Employment Area. The Council will support its continued growth and development as a nationally and internationally significant hub for film, television and creative industries activity as set out the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan. b) The Council will support the intensification, modernisation and redevelopment of Pinewood Studios for creative industries and associated uses where consistent with the criteria of this policy. c) Primary use - Creative Industries d) The primary use of the site will be development supporting the creative industries, with a particular focus on film, high-end television (HETV) and media production. e) This includes: i. Production activities, including pre-production, filming and post-production. ii. Supporting uses such as studios, stages, workshops, offices, storage and associated infrastructure. iii. Research, development and innovation related to film, television and digital media production. iv. Education, training and skills development, including incubation and specialist facilities that support the growth of the sector. v. Ancillary uses that are directly related to and support the functioning of the site. f) Supporting modern economy uses i. The site will also contribute to uses associated with the modern economy as defined in national policy, particularly digital infrastructure and technologies, including data centres where they support Buckinghamshire's strategic economic objectives and are compatible with the continued operation and growth of Pinewood Studios as a creative industries hub. g) Redevelopment and alternative uses h) Proposals for redevelopment or re-use of all or part of the site for other uses will only be permitted where all the following criteria are met: i. it is r obustly demonstrated that there is no reasonable prospect of the site being retained for creative industry, TV or film-production related employment uses; and ii. the proposal would be for a high-quality employment generating use which contributes to Buc kinghamshire’s growth sectors and strategic economic priorities; and iii. the scale, form and extent of development would not result in a significant increase in the developed footprint of the site, unless this is clearly justified, and iv. The proposal will provide or, where agreed by the Council, make contributions to sustainable transport links and strengthen sustainable transport connections to nearby settlements. v. the proposal would incorporate substantial landscaping, mitigation of its environmental impacts and impacts on local transport and other infrastructure. vi. the proposal avoids adverse impacts on the species and habitats of conservation significance supported by the adjacent Black Park Country Park. Where impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation and compensation measures must be secured. 6.527 Pinewood Studios is a site of national and international significance and forms a key part of the West of London Screen Cluster. It is one of the UK’s principal locations for film and television production and plays an important role in supporting the growth of the creative industries, a key sector of Buckinghamshire’s economy. 6.528 Pinewood Studios benefits from several extant planning permissions that provide for substantial additional film production, media and supporting infrastructure floorspace. These include the Screen Hub UK permission granted in 2022, the Pinewood South Screen Hub permission granted in 2023, and an outline permission for a data centre development granted in 2026. The Local Plan policy has been prepared having regard to these permissions and is intended to provide a consistent strategic planning framework that supports their delivery whilst safeguarding the site's primary role as a nationally significant centre for film, television and creative industries activity. 6.529 The policy supports the continued growth, modernisation and intensification of the site for film, high-end television and related creative industries uses. This includes provision for production, supporting infrastructure, research and development, innovation, and skills development. The inclusion of complementary modern economy uses, particularly those linked to digital technologies and infrastructure, reflects national policy support for knowledge-driven and innovative sectors. 6.530 Given the site’s strategic importance, it is necessary to safeguard land and buildings for creative industries uses. Proposals involving their loss will only be supported where it is clearly demonstrated that such uses are no longer required or viable. Where redevelopment or alternative uses are justified, proposals should continue to deliver employment-generating uses appropriate to the site’s role. 6.531 The site’s location, with land nearby designated as Green Belt, means that development should be carefully managed to respect its setting. Proposals should avoid a material increase in the overall developed footprint unless clearly justified and should incorporate substantial landscaping to ensure a well-designed and contained form of development. 6.532 Access to public transport is limited, and therefore development proposals must include measures to mitigate transport impacts and improve sustainable travel options. The proximity of Black Park Country Park, which supports habitats and species of conservation importance, is also a key consideration. Development must ensure these environmental assets are protected, with impacts appropriately avoided or mitigated.