Pinewood Shepperton has announced plans to create the UK’s ‘live-work’ TV community in a proposed extension to its existing site.

The plans for 'Project Pinewood', which have been submitted to the local council, aim to meet the working needs of the television and film community while helping to address the UK government's demand for more houses.
The site will comprise permanent working sets of streetscapes and zones replicating locations across the UK, Europe and the US. It will include an amphitheatre, a castle, a Venetian canal, an Italian lakeside and street scenes from London, New York, Paris and Los Angeles.
Ivan Dunleavy chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton said: “The practical benefits to TV producers and film makers as part of the back lot range of assets will be huge. It will save TV productions like Doctor Who from going across to New York or dissuade other British televison shows from going to European locations for shoots.”
In addition, if the project goes ahead, Pinewood will host a residential development, which is expected to support between 2,000 and 2,250 homes.
Dunleavy said: “The structure would be that Pinewood would retain control of the site and set locations, then people would be offered ownership in the properties themselves, leasehold or other forms of ownership.”
The company still needs to secure planning permission for the development, which is expected to take some time as the proposed site is currently green belt land. Dunleavy said: “The planning process will take between 18 and 24 months.”
Dunleavy said: "Project Pinewood is consistent with the company's strategy, particularly the aim to grow its media park. The facilities we create will complement Pinewood Shepperton's existing infrastructure and we expect it to become an important additional incentive to bring global customers to the UK."

Topics