Pinewood Studios has launched its appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the expansion of its Buckinghamshire site.

The facilities group’s plans were turned down earlier this month after South Buckinghamshire District Council (SBDC) labelled the scheme “inappropriate”.

Pinewood chief executive Ivan Dunleavy today underlined Pinewood’s commitment to the expansion plan, which he described as “more pressing now than it has ever been”.

“In relation to this scheme the government has clarified its policy support for the screen based industries,” he said.

“The proposals have received overwhelming support from  leading global figures and companies in the creative industries, business groups, national and local businesses and members of the local community.”

Pinewood expects the secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles to make a decision by the end of the year.

Pinewood claims that an overhaul of the site would create some 3,100 additional jobs, provide £194m of private sector infrastructure investment and contribute £36m per year in tax.

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