The Case for Growth and Recovery

Home , BFI National Archive, Carry On (franchise), Carry On Up the Khyber, Pinewood Group, Pinewood Studios

SCREEN HUB UK Delivering a Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios September 2020

The Case for Growth DOCUMENT and Recovery 07 This document is part of the planning application for development of a Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios to which cross reference should be made and was prepared by Rob Lucas Consultancy. September 2020

Note: The term ‘film’ is used throughout the document and should be taken to include high-end The Huntsman : Winter’s War © 2016 Universal Pictures. All rights reserved. television (HETV) and other screen- based content production CONTENTS

00 SYNOPSIS 4 01 INTRODUCTION 6 02 SCREEN HUB UK 10 03 A DRIVER OF RECOVERY 38 04 A QUESTION OF BALANCE 56 05 DELIVERING 62 06 A PINEWOOD PERSPECTIVE 68 07 APPENDICES 78 A1. List of application documentation 80 A2 London Creative Cluster – schedule of attractors 81 A3. Development parameter plans 82 A4. Model for the Screen Hub UK – Design Review Panel 92 A5. Outline of Pinewood Studios Community Fund 93 A6. Selective filmography – 80 years of film 94 A7. Correspondence from industry groups 96

Aerial of Pinewood site, 1950 – 60s 4 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

SYNOPSIS

Screen Hub UK is a proposal to expand and combine Pinewood Studios with an international film-inspired visitor attraction, an education/training hub and a business growth hub, to provide a facility of UK-wide and global significance. Pinewood Studios is a world renowned film production facility with an illustrious history of 84 years. It is the most significant centre of excellence and resource for screen-based content in the UK and an essential contributor to the creative industries sector. The current significance of the Studios is acknowledged in the Industrial Strategies of UK Government and the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The potential of the Studios to make an even stronger economic contribution to the creative industries sector is written into industrial policy with the proposed ‘Screen Industries Global Growth Hub’ – now Screen Hub UK – proposed in the current planning application

Pinewood Studio Experience Planning balances and benefits The visitor attraction – Pinewood Studio Experience – is imagined of production capacity and skills in the UK and the Buckinghamshire The proposed development is estimated to bring substantial scale as a film-inspired facility of national and international significance LEP identifies Pinewood as a key location. The strategic economic and breadth of benefits. It is an investment of around £450m with drawing on the heritage of Pinewood, the magic of film, the art significance of Pinewood Studios is also acknowledged in the the potential to support 3,500 jobs, add £230m pa to the economy and science of production and a glimpse behind the screen. The development plans of Buckinghamshire Council. and boost tourism by £125m pa. The construction phase would add Experience is planned to attract up to 2m visitors per year and another 1,600 jobs and £300m pa. The studio expansion would bring substantial economic benefits over time join the list of top 10 attractions in the UK. It would have and an opportunity to link with the Experience (‘Live Pinewood’) a substantial positive impact on the tourism and hospitality sector. Screen Hub UK would implement Government/LEP strategy and in and Centre Stage (practical experience). addition deliver environmental, ecological, arts and culture, tourism and community benefits. It would contribute to social wellbeing. Education and business growth hubs Green campus Such a development is only realistic at and with the authenticity of An education and a business growth hub named ‘Centre Stage’ is The new development is proposed to be set within a ‘green’ Pinewood Studios. The development is not footloose and is a private proposed to be located on site and amongst the commercial activity framework bringing ecological net gain and environmental quality. sector investment based as much upon the presence of ‘Pinewood of the wider Studios and Experience providing a route for the place’ as it is ‘Pinewood the future’. interactions and connections. The proposed Hub is supported by: DCMS, Creative England, VisitBritain, Buckinghamshire LEP, British Film Commission and At a time when the economic and social context is adverse as a The scope of the education hub would range from primary school British Film Institute. result of the impacts of COVID-19 the benefits attract substantial outreach and awareness through to adult retraining post the weight and urgency in planning decision-making. employment downturn impacts of COVID-19. “The proposed Pinewood Studios Experience represents The Screen Hub UK site is within the Green Belt where planning The role of the business growth hub is to provide support for a significant opportunity for cementing both Pinewood’s permission would not normally be granted. Balancing the Green Belt start-ups and an incubation function for people and companies heritage and the wider reputation of the UK as a world- constraint against the scale and significance of its benefits provides to serve the film industry. class visitor destination. the very special circumstances that are required to justify the grant The Centre Stage facility also provides an opportunity to offer It is entirely appropriate that local planning decisions of planning permission. facilities for shared community use. are made locally, but I am happy to put on record my The Screen Hub development comes at a time when the benefits support in principle for this exciting proposal, which that it will deliver have never been more needed given the scale of Production studios has the potential to form an important part of this economic recovery required – all of which outweighs the Green Belt government’s work in championing the success status of the site. A further expansion of Pinewood Studios is part of the Screen story of British film to a global audience.” Hub scheme reflecting the priority for expansion of the creative industries and in particular that of inward film investment. Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP The strategic plans of UK Government include a further growth Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

01 INTRODUCTION

Aerial view overlooking stages A, B, C & D and main administration building 8 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

01 INTRODUCTION

1.1 This document is part of the planning application for the development of a Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios, Iver, Buckinghamshire (Screen Hub UK). The document presents an overview of the scheme and summarises the case for a grant of planning permission. It draws upon the suite of application documentation and provides detailed cross referencing to that evidence1.

1. A full list of the application documentation is included at Appendix 1 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 9

1.2 The screen industries global growth hub is a project proposed by Buckinghamshire LEP and supported by Pinewood Studios. 1.3 The priority of the Hub has been advanced as a response to the severe adverse economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across the UK and keenly experienced in Buckinghamshire. The Hub is a substantial development with major beneficial economic impacts much of which could be delivered in the near term (0–5 years). 1.4 The benefits and merits of the proposed Hub need to be balanced against the Green Belt status of the site and any other planning harms. This balance lies at the heart of the planning decision to be taken. 1.5 The application material assesses the proposed scheme against all the technical areas and is concluded to be acceptable, with mitigation. 1.6 The planning balance assessment turns upon the assessment of Green Belt constraint against the economic, social and environmental benefits of the scheme. This Aerial of Pinewood Studios site decision-making process is critical and is summarised in full in the Planning Statement2.

Editing Model workshop 2. Application Doc 08 : Planning Statement

02 SCREEN HUB UK

Interior of the Roger Moore Stage 12 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

02 SCREEN HUB UK Screen Hub UK is a 750,000 sq ft global growth hub to be based at Pinewood Studios in accordance with the UK’s and Buckinghamshire’s strategy for the creative industries and tourism sectors. The Hub embraces all of the existing Studios site and adds: an international film-inspired visitor attraction; an expansion of studio production space; education and business growth hubs. The whole development to be set within a green campus. The planning application is in outline form tied to a set of development parameters and principles.

Defining the Hub 2.1 The proposed Screen Industries Global Growth Hub (Screen 2.4 The description of development in the planning application Hub UK) takes the existing strategic economic asset of for the new elements of the Hub is: Pinewood Studios as a foundation and proposes an expansion of its role and scale to deliver an integrated screen/film- “Outline planning application with all matters reserved inspired growth hub at the heart of the Buckinghamshire (except for principal points of access) for the phased and West London creative clusters. development of a screen industries global growth hub of up to 750,000 sq ft (70,000 sq m) comprising: 2.2 The proposed Screen Hub UK is a cluster of film-related uses based at Pinewood Studios with links to other screen based • A visitor attraction of 350,000 sq ft comprising a uses in Buckinghamshire and beyond. series of buildings 2.3 The growth hub is intended to provide links between content • 350,000 sq ft of film production buildings (including producers/providers and the wider business, education/skills sound stages, workshops, offices and an external film and cultural networks in support of growth of the creative and backlot) digital sector. • An education hub (25,000 sq ft) • A business growth hub (25,000 sq ft) • Associated parking and servicing • Green Infrastructure”

2.5 Illustrative masterplans are shown at Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 : Illustrative masterplan – option A SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 15

Figure 2 : Illustrative masterplan – option B Metropolitan Green Belt boundary Major multi-production and high-end TV Total studio floor space 1 Pinewood Studios 275,000 Sq.Ft. 2 Shepperton Studios 167,000 Sq.Ft.

16 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery Major single production and Major single production high-end TV and high-end TV 3 Warner Brother Studios Leavesden 250,000 Sq.Ft. * 4 Longcross Studios 76,000 Sq.Ft. 5 Elstree Studios 61,000 Sq.Ft.

* excludes floorspace added for Harry Potter exhibition

N Warner 3 Brothers 3 Leavesden Studios

Elstree M1 5 Studios

Locating the Hub National Film and Television School M25 2.6 The role of ‘London’ based studios in the provision of screen content production M40 facilities is well established and global. London is consistently the base for more major 7 film productions than any other cluster in the world with the closest being Los Angeles, US; Atlanta, US; Australia and Vancouver, Canada3. Pinewood Studios 4 2.7 In terms of production space, London lies third behind Los Angeles and Vancouver . 1 London 2.8 The UK film, TV and media industry is geographically concentrated in and around West London with emerging regionally based complexes. This includes a wide range M4 of studios which in combination serve the breadth of production needs.

E W 2.9 The range and type of facilities in the West London cluster can be broadly classified as: A O T H R

• major purpose-built studios providing a base and facilities for multiple M25 large international productions 22 • other complementary studios Shepperton *Arborfield is not Studios shown on map 44 M3 • National Film and Television School Longcross 0 10km Studios Figure 3: Studio facilities within West London cluster 2.10 The popularity of and demand for the West London cluster is driven by the attributes of an economic cluster: infrastructure and skills, location, financial and political Studio Total stage Number Founded Status context. This is explained below and detailed at Appendix 2. ‘000 sq ft of stages 1. Pinewood 540 27 1936 Purpose built 2. Shepperton 168 15 1932 Purpose built 3. Leavesden 400 14 1994 Purpose built 4. Longcross 92 4 2006 Former MOD site – conversion 5. Elstree 60 9 1925 Purpose built 6. Arborfield* 97 3 2017 Former military barracks – conversion (pre redevelopment for housing) 3. Source: PwC, LA Film Report, Studio websites 7. NFTS Film and TV School 4. Source: PwC, The-Numbers.com, IDMB, Press, Management Information – – – SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 17

Infrastructure and skills 2.11 The West London cluster and its three world class studios (Pinewood, Shepperton, Leavesden) all have a long heritage and have built up a substantial technical infrastructure of facilities and technologies together with a highly skilled crew and talent base. This scale, depth of and quality of resource makes film production at the studios efficient and cost effective. Such a complete resource is not available to the same degree at other global studios and producers’ feedback confirms that crews and facilities in the West London cluster are the most accomplished in the world. In interviews with leading producers the UK infrastructure and skills base (mainly London/West London) is acknowledged as a major attractor. 2.12 Located within the cluster is the National Film and Television School5 which is recognised internationally as a model of higher education for film and the moving image. The school runs over 30 MA, Diploma and Certificate courses across a range of film, television and games disciplines. NFTS has received support from Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership in support of their creative and digital facilities including a £1.5m investment for a new digital content production training studio and Dolby Atmos® certification. The NFTS is complementary to the work of Pinewood Studios.

Courtesy of NFTS website

5. https://nfts.co.uk 18 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Location Choice 2.13 The locational advantage is driven by London as a leading 2.19 Attracting international inward investment in film is world city. predominantly about drawing productions to the West London cluster with the scale and quality of facilities that the market 2.14 London is attractive to leading producers, directors and actors understands will be available. The choice for large scale as a base while filming. The accessibility of Central London to productions is clear cut: West London or another global the studio sites is critical. English speaking is important. destination. In this highly competitive environment for footloose 2.15 London is highly accessible in transport terms particularly by investment, failing to supply what the market demands is a risk air to the US from London Heathrow airport which is critical. to the UK’s inward investment performance in film. 2.16 There is a variety of ‘on-location’ filming landscapes available 2.20 At Pinewood Studios there are all the advantages of expertise, in close proximity with Buckinghamshire being the second knowledge and development potential readily available in one most used county for filming in the UK. location. The Studios is therefore the only appropriate location for the proposed UK growth hub. Financial and political context 2.17 A leading factor in film production worldwide is the availability of tax relief, Government support and ease of engagement and cross party political support for the film industry. Brand 2.18 Combining all of these factors there is a distinct brand advantage at Pinewood which has an established and respected track record, assured quality of production, which minimises uncertainty and lowers risk (in a risky industry).

Steel fabrication SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 19

Spray shop Mould making

Creative vaccuum forming

Carpentry 20 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Detailing the Hub SCREEN HUB UK 2.21 There are three principal elements proposed in the scheme:

A A world-class, film-inspired visitor attraction –

the ‘Pinewood Studio Experience’ A B PINEWOOD C CENTRE PRODUCTION B Education and business growth hubs with shared STUDIO STAGE community use – ‘Centre Stage’ STUDIOS EXPERIENCE Education/ C Production studios – expansion of the existing Existing iconic Studios Visitor Business growth/ and new attraction Community Together these form part of the creative cluster in Buckinghamshire, which also extends to the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. Screen Industries Global Growth Hub 2.22 The proposed Screen Hub engages all three elements to achieve a combination of their individual excellence/offer and capture their overlaps. This can only be achieved at the Pinewood Studios location to deliver the authenticity, critical mass and breadth of resource that is the rationale of the Hub scheme.

Commercial, car in action, 1956 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 21

A. Pinewood Studio Experience Content 2.23 The Pinewood Studio Experience (the Experience) is intended to 2.26 The design of the Experience is likely to take its cues from: 2.30 The Experience is proposed to be sited at the southern end be a national/international visitor attraction that is inspired by of the development site and is proposed to include: Pinewood’s heritage, the techniques of film-making and the • being distinctly Pinewood • a series of buildings and spaces of a form resembling a excitement of famous movies made at the site. • telling a story ‘studio lot’ across which the Experience activity will take INSPIRATION • showcasing the famous film facilities and heritage place to a total maximum floorspace of 350,000 sq ft of Pinewood (32,516 sq m) THE PINEWOOD THE ART & SCIENCE BEHIND THE • being entertaining and educational • parking for 1,400 cars set within a landscaped/green STORY OF FILM MAKING SCREEN • spanning across the physical to virtual environment Heritage Creating On the set • being an ‘immersive’ experience • parking for up to 25 coaches/buses 2.27 The target visitor numbers are up to 2m pa at maturity. This • 80 space cycle park would put the attraction into the top 10 attractions in the UK. • a green/blue infrastructure to include: – a comprehensive boundary treatment PINEWOOD STUDIO EXPERIENCE 2.28 The appeal of the Experience would be national and international. It is targeted to be on the visit list of international – tree and shrub planting tourist visitors to London and the UK tour circuit. – a comprehensive green network 2.24 The Experience is a visitor attraction that is rooted in the place and history of Pinewood Studios which will tell the story 2.29 The Experience is intended to be dynamic and include visiting/ – water habitat features, including sustainable urban of the Studios and film-making including references to and rotating exhibitions; attractions; and a ‘Live Pinewood’ to drainage (SUDs) experiences of some of the famous and iconic film franchises glimpse the experience of film-making. • access from Pinewood Road and Uxbridge Road with associated with the site over the years. entrance features • off-site highway improvements, principally to Five Points 2.25 It is being designed by Thinkwell – The Experience Company : Roundabout and Seven Hills Road a global design and production agency creating custom, content-driven experiences in the physical world. Thinkwell has a long list of ‘experience’ credits including Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ at Leavesden.

6. https://thinkwellgroup.com/ 22 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Layout

2.31 Illustrative masterplans for the Experience together with illustrative impressions of how the proposals set out above could be developed are at Figures 4 and 5. Evolution of the design and guidance for its future development is included in the application documents7.

Figure 4a: Illustrative masterplan for the Experience – Option A

7. See Application Doc 09 : Development Framework and Design & Access Statement SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 23

Delivery

2.32 The Experience is a privately funded commercial venture which would be brought forward by Pinewood Group Limited (PGL).

Figure 4b: Illustrative masterplan for the Experience – Option B 24 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Figure 5a: CGI SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 25

Figure 5b: CGIs 26 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

B. Centre Stage 1. Education and training hub – learning 2.33 The second principal element of the Screen Hub UK is the The range of potential offers might include: education and business growth hubs with community use (‘Centre Stage’). 1. Education and Training Hub – Learning 2.34 The key components of the Centre Stage are proposed to be: Primary schools • school visits to Experience as outreach and awareness of film and screen also making use of facilities here • an education hub • classroom and meeting space • a business growth hub • use of screening theatre • shared community use • a possible screening cinema/theatre Secondary schools • as above • common services facilities for all the uses and colleges • on-site short courses and extension learning • development of film and screen media production courses at GCSE and A level CENTRE STAGE • hands-on experience in model studio 1. 2. EDUCATION AND BUSINESS Tertiary education and • as above TRAINING HUB GROWTH HUB training (vocational) • programme of higher-education courses or modules across film and screen media in association Learning Enterprising with university and specialist training institutions • use of model studio and ‘apprentice’ access to commercial production at Pinewood Studios

5. • CPD (Continued Professional Development training) COMMON SERVICES/ CO-WORKING Film production and • specialist academy providing practical training courses in film production with an emphasis on craft skills Servicing craft Academy • operation of an apprenticeship programme • sponsored by Pinewood Group and operated in partnership with production companies and suppliers

3. 4. Reskilling for the film • adult training and re-training courses for in demand film production skills COMMUNITY HUB SCREENING CINEMA/THEATRE industry • targeting to recently unemployed, post formal education Sharing Entertaining Adult education for interest • programme of non-vocational courses for understanding and appreciation of film and Pinewood Studios and insight • part of community outreach and well-being 2.35 Centre Stage is a vital ‘connector and contributor’ between • link to community hub the constituent uses and to the wider site. SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 27

2. Screen sector growth hub – enterprising 3. Community hub – sharing

The range of potential offers might include: The range of potential offers might include:

2. Screen sector growth hub – enterprising 3. Community hub – sharing

Pre start up and • accommodation and services for working/co-working Accommodation • local community groups : interest groups, clubs and societies start up • monitoring and expert advice and guidance and services for • local Councils : Buckinghamshire Council, Parish Councils, community use • pre-start up support: testing a business proposition Community boards • start up: developing/growing a business proposition • democratic services : MPs, Councillors, elections • on-site and virtual/on-line • local services : NHS, police etc • individual residents : serviced workspace/stations for individuals Incubation • beyond 1. above is a more focused and complex support providing (subject to space and availability) entrepreneurial training and accommodation with specialist expertise/facilities (studio and production) • ‘spin out’ from other education and training institutions 4. Screening cinema/theatre – entertaining are likely to move into an incubation phase The complex might include a screening cinema/theatre to support all of the • admittance by application of individual businesses users of the Centre. Accelerators • as above although typically including a cohort selection and provider of seed investment funding 5. Common services – working • highly growth and value driven The Centre could be served by the provision of common services including:

Film/media related • commercial letting of business space to qualifying users business space 5. Common services – working

Common services • working space/co-working • meeting rooms • café/catering • IT/network digital services • office services technical and personnel 28 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Content

2.36 The form of the Centre Stage facility is flexible under the parameters although is most likely to be as a single, three to four storey building sited to the east of the new studio space and sharing a new access on to Pinewood Road with its own dedicated parking. 2.37 The development in the application is proposed to include: • floorspace at a maximum of 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m) • 3–4 storeys • ‘wings’ of the building for education and business growth respectively with shared common service areas • 226 parking spaces • 50 cycle park

Layout

2.38 An illustrative form of layout is shown at Figure 6.

Figure 6: Zoom on Centre Stage SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 29

Other uses

2.39 The Centre Stage building is also likely to provide the accommodation for the proposed ‘Film Office’ for Buckinghamshire. The scheme is included in the Buckinghamshire LEP Local Industrial Strategy and is proposed as a small support agency to promote film-making in studios and on location in Buckinghamshire. The operation would be located within the Pinewood estate and provide a co-ordination service for identifying and securing film locations including any statutory requirements (eg. road closures).

Delivery

2.40 PGL is considering how these elements could be funded both in set up and operation. The arrangements for delivery are likely to require forms of local partnership and mixed funding Underwater stage shoot sources. The prospective delivery of the hubs will be developed over the planning process.

Hair and make-up 30 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

C. Film production space 2.45 Creative England make similar points in their letter of support11. 2.41 The demand for screen-based content production (including digital streaming services) in the UK remains strong with “A key area of the BFC’s work is advising and helping “That Deal [Creative Industries Sector Deal] saw a a continuing shortfall in facilities. The ‘targets’ set out by source locations, key crew and talent and, crucially, commitment to the continuing growth of the film and Government in the Creative Industries Sector Deal have studio space for major productions. The increase in high-end TV industry to approximately £4bn pa by 2025 not been met to date8. The Buckinghamshire Local Industrial content demand, which has not abated during the requiring a substantial increase in studio capacity and Strategy (LIS) and Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) identify Covid-19 pandemic, has led to severe stage space skills. This scale of ambition for the UK film and HETV Pinewood Studios as a location for future expansion of studio capacity shortages. This, in turn, has led to the loss of sector is not dimmed although has obviously been affected facilities. The proposed development includes new film multiple feature films and TV series to competitor by recent international events. Inward investment film production space to contribute to meeting demand and jurisdictions, with the resultant loss of millions of pounds production is resuming in the UK, I was delighted to read delivering the economic benefits associated with it. in GDP and thousands of UK jobs. We are still committed that Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion was the first The proposed studio expansion is planned to be operated to the growth of inward investment in UK film and film in the UK to resuming shooting on 6 July at Pinewood. alongside the existing Pinewood Studios and to play high-end TV as targeted in the Creative Industries Sector The global demand for content will continue to grow and a role in the ‘Live Pinewood’ elements of the Experience. Deal; a more than doubling in growth to approximately the production of screen-based content in the UK therefore £4bn a year by 2025. To achieve this, we need further remains strong.” 2.42 The new studio space is intended to integrate with the skills development for the industry and significantly more existing studios and would add capacity for, broadly, the scale studio space, notwithstanding the welcome schemes at “The proposed screen industries growth hub has the required for a single major film production. More typically Shepperton, Belfast Harbour, Dagenham, Elstree and potential to make a significant contribution to skilling/ it would operate alongside the existing Studio estate and elsewhere, the diversity of which meet the varying reskilling at a time of major employment change and provide flexibility for multiple productions at the same time. demands of our film, TV and streaming clients.” in assisting related business start-ups, incubation and British Film Commission letter, 14 September 2020 growth. As you know, this is something which Creative Studio capacity UK England has worked with Pinewood and Buckinghamshire Business First last year. The growth hub has the potential 2.43 There is a continuing demand-led requirement for inward to make a significant contribution to the UK economic investment and UK film production space which is not being recovery. We are pleased to offer our support.” met. The British Film Commission as a Government-funded agency to attract and support film-making in the UK is clear Creative England letter, 3 September 2020 that there remains a studio shortage and that the ambition of Government in the Creative Industries Sector Deal has not been met9. 2.44 In the British Film Commission letter of support10 they 8. See Section 3 for detail 9. See Application Doc 08 : Planning Statement indicate that: 10. BFC letter at Appendix 7 11. Creative England letter at Appendix 7 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 31

2.46 The reported continuing shortage is despite all the permitted Linkages studio space at Pinewood and Shepperton being brought forward and other, smaller, regeneration-led schemes being 2.47 The new production space is intended to link with and mutually granted planning permission, including: support the Experience and the education and business growth hubs (‘Centre Stage’). Elstree A joint development between Sky and NBCUniversal for 2.48 The new Studios could also provide: c. 550,000 sq ft comprising of twelve stages, workshop • an opportunity for ‘Live Pinewood’ visits as part of and offices the Experience Dagenham • on-set/on-site opportunity for practical training experience A local authority led regeneration scheme that will provide across the full spectrum of film-making (from set design and c. 260,000 sq ft comprising 6 stages, workshops and offices building to shooting)

Ashford Content A landowner-led large mixed-use regeneration scheme including c. 170,000 sq ft of film/tv studios comprising 2.49 The studio development would be of typical form comprising 4 sound stages, workshops, offices and a media village. a range of sound stages, workshops, offices and a backlot The development also includes a hotel, serviced apartments, (for external film sets and shooting). residential units and general commercial and retail space 2.50 The scale of the facilities in the application are: Reading A potential development being promoted by Blackhall Studios • buildings to a maximum of 350,000 sq ft (32,516 sq m) and the University of Reading for c. 500,000 sq ft of studio • a backlot of 2 ha (5 acres) space on land within the Thames Valley Science Park • parking for 715 vehicles • 150 space cycle park • servicing to all buildings • a link to the existing Pinewood Studios • a new access from Pinewood Road

Historic rear projection in action 32 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Layout

2.51 A typical form of studio development for the production space is shown on the illustrative layout plan opposite.

Delivery

2.52 The new production facilities would be a privately funded commercial project similar in nature to the existing Pinewood Studios and operated as part of the wider site.

Figure 7: Zoom masterplan of production site SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 33

Designing the Hub 2.56 An elaboration of the principles is set out below. 2.53 The design of the Hub will be guided by the development 1. A bespoke development proposition principles and parameters included in the application12. The site of c. 32 ha is located in the Buckinghamshire Green Belt and although it has been subject to quarrying and landfill Development principles it is not an allocated development site. The development will need to have a bespoke and special content and character 2.54 The scheme will be designed in accordance with a set of which justifies its development on Green Belt land in this development principles. Although not design prescriptive the location. The proposed development is geographically fixed principles will set a high level framework which are reflected to Pinewood and not footloose. in the parameters and will be a point of reference in developing the detailed design. The design process and final product will 2. Delivering a substantial beneficial economic impact be expected to show how the principles have been respected A major benefit of the proposed scheme is the estimated and applied. economic benefits that it will bring directly and indirectly which is a core part of the Green Belt very special 2.55 The development principles are: circumstances justification. The benefits will need to be Soft landscaping to car parks demonstrated and be capable of reasonable delivery. 1. A bespoke development proposition 2. Delivering a substantial beneficial economic impact 3. An international and national tourist attraction and visitor destination 3. An international/national tourist attraction/destination To achieve the outcome sought the visitor attraction should be of 3. Integration with and strengthening of the existing UK national significance and with an international draw. This will Pinewood Studios support the creative industries and tourism/hospitality sectors. 5. An enhanced green/blue infrastructure with The design brief in outline is: biodiversity net gain The creation of a truly world-class visitor experience which 6. Well connected with sustainable movement/transport blends Pinewood’s history and the art of film-making. It is envisaged that visitors will visit a dedicated, immersive and 7. A sustainable development – energy, carbon, waste interactive exhibition that celebrates many of the legendary 9. A visually contained development films made at Pinewood and goes ‘behind the scenes’ of how they were created, enabling them to experience film sets that are normally off limits. It will be a globally unique and authentic attraction that is underpinned by – and intrinsically linked to – Pinewood’s heritage as a world-class film-making hub. Native woodland planting and screening of wildlife corridors 12. See Application Doc 09 : Development Framework and Design & Access Statement SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 35

4. Integration with the existing Pinewood Studios 6. A well connected development with sustainable The proposed Screen Hub UK is intended to comprise the transport strategy whole of Pinewood Studios to provide the best potential for The Pinewood estate is in a semi-rural location and with cross-fertilisation of all the various uses. The objective will be to reasonable linkages to main transport interchanges. physically and functionally integrate the new scheme with the To improve the connectivity and sustainable transport existing Studios (subject to operational security requirements). performance of the estate, travel plans are operational for 5. An enhanced green/blue infrastructure with the existing Studios and would need to be extended to the a biodiversity net gain (BNG) proposed new development. The proposed visitor attraction The proposed development is targeted to deliver a BNG should develop a multi modal strategy with significant use of Native wetland and marginal planting making a significant cumulative enhancement for the buses and regular shuttle services to rail stations. estate as a whole. 7.A sustainable development BNG can be achieved by: The sustainability performance of the new development should explore and adopt best appropriate practice with regard • retention and enhancement of existing features to energy generation and use, water conservation, minimising wherever possible carbon and waste management. A sustainability strategy • provision of new natural ecology and habitat by will be developed as part of the planning control work. planting, habitual creation, water bodies and good 8. A visually contained development management regimes Provision of bird Installation of Marginal The existing site is naturally visually contained and this and bat boxes invertebrate habitats wetland vegetation • creation of green/blue corridors and linkages within character should be reinforced in the design of the scheme. This and beyond the site, including to adjacent sites such is to be achieved by massing and siting of buildings and attention as Black Park, Alderbourne Farm, highway verges and to the reinforcement/enhancement of boundary treatments. footpaths/bridleways The objective should be to filter and soften views but not screen out entirely. Particular attention to be paid to most sensitive visual receptors. The development should not be hidden but given a suitable setting. A key element will be the strengthening of the site frontages to highways and the creation of clear, expressed entrance features appropriate for the film-related use and in common with the Studios characteristic of feature entrances. Tree avenue to guide visitors 36 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Development parameters Summary of development parameters 2.57 The development parameters provide a framework within A3 A3

Notes: PP1A Notes: PP3B

Source – topographic survey August 2020 The land use parameters comprise buildings, movement (including access, parking and Part of the site is still under restoration from servicing) and green infrastructure. which the scheme is to be assessed and subsequently quarrying. In these locations, the parameters will be taken from the final restored levels, rather than There are two different options (A and B), which 61.88 AOD those shown on the topographic survey. In areas show alternative locations / orientation of the where restoration is still to be completed, the visitor attraction. levels will be representative of those shown for the areas that have already been restored The visitor attraction will comprise one or more (typically ranging from 60 to 62 m AOD) individual or interconnected main buildings (up to 61.82 AOD 10), together with smaller scale structures to 62.02 AOD +62.0 accommodate related support / service facilities. 61.21 AOD Existing site with The limit on the total number of main buildings will Land uses across the site be flexibly applied in agreement with the local +55.0 +59.0 +62.0 62.02 AOD planning authority when determining reserved 61.69 AOD matters. Production implemented. The parameters cover: 61.63 AOD +71.0 studio The production studio will be a series of buildings +61.0 +62.0 of different forms as required by the needs of film +62.0 production. +59.0 61.76AOD Visitor 61.67AOD +62.0 The Education and Business Growth Hubs will be attraction one or more individual or interconnected +62.0 +61.0 buildings (up to 5 main structures) sited within the +59.0 61.65 AOD 61.19 AOD 61.33 AOD movement zone adjacent to Pinewood Road. 61.04 AOD boundaries, features including buildings, green

+60.0

+61.0 +59.0 * 61.01 AOD +62.0 60.64 AOD 61.22 AOD • Site definition 61.13 AOD and levels infrastructure, movement

DIAGRAM KEY: DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY EXISTING RETAINED STRUCTURES APPLICATION BOUNDARY MOVEMENT ZONES

CONTOURS (1m intervals) EXISTING VEHICULAR ACCESS N BUILDINGS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH HUBS N • Development zones 0m 50 100 200 300 500m GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE * SECONDARY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m EXISTING TREES EXISTING SPOT LEVELS Do not scale this drawing Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 120 PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 124

Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 FaulknerBrowns LLP FaulknerBrowns LLP FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way ARCHITECTS Killingworth ARCHITECTS Killingworth PP1A Site context (current levels) Newcastle upon Tyne PP3B Land use Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW NE12 6QW

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 • Land use 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 • Green infrastructure A3 PP1B A3 PP4 Notes:

The development will support the delivery of a • Access and movement 10% minimum biodiversity net gain through green infrastructure provision. This will include a comprehensive landscape and ecological enhancement scheme for the application site 61.88 AOD The total area of green infrastructure within the application site will be no less than 9.8 ha.

The green infrastructure will include boundary 61.82 AOD treatments and stand offs; protection of existing 62.02 AOD key landscape features / assets; provision of new 61.21 AOD Proposed site levels / enhanced landscape and ecology; a The strategic provision strengthened landscape frontage to Pinewood 62.02 AOD Road. 61.69 AOD 61.63 AOD The boundary provision will be between 10m and • Heights 62 +/-1m 30m in depth subject to detailed design and approval under reserved matters, with a 61.5 +/-1m substantive landscaped edge to Black Park (up 62 +/-1m 61.76AOD to 30m in depth) and appropriate landscaping 61.67AOD provision where building zones are close to * adjacent residential properties (typically a 15m depth of woodland planting) 61.65 AOD 61.19 AOD 61.33 AOD 61.04 AOD Access points will be provided to the site through of green infrastructure the green boundary areas, including existing 61 +/-1m internal landscaping belts / areas. These access 61 +/-1m points will be located to minimise loss of existing vegetation.

61.01 AOD • Development numbers and yield 60.64 AOD * 61.22 AOD 61.13 AOD including landscaping,

DIAGRAM KEY: DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY PROPOSED LEVELS APPLICATION BOUNDARY EXISTING RETAINED TREES water, planting, ecological GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ENTRANCE FEATURE N EXISTING TREES EXISTING LEVELS FROM TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY * 0m 50 100 200 300 500m They are included at Appendix 3 and summarised here. Do not scale this drawing Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 FaulknerBrowns LLP FaulknerBrowns LLP FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House connections/corridors Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way ARCHITECTS Killingworth ARCHITECTS Killingworth PP1B Site context (proposed levels) Newcastle upon Tyne PP4 Green infrastructure Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW NE12 6QW

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 2.58 All of the matters identified above are relevant to decision- 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 making and implementation. Some are of direct relevance to A3 PP2 A3 PP5 the planning balance decision to be taken in determination of Notes: Notes: Two principal development zones are identified: The development will support the delivery of a 10% minimum biodiversity net gain through green 1) Visitor attraction - a bespoke film-inspired infrastructure provision. This will include a leisure/tourism facility incorporating exhibition comprehensive landscape and ecological space, related and ancillary food & drink, retail enhancement scheme for the application site and guest facilities (internal and external) The total area of green infrastructure within the 2) Production studio - a film and media application site will be no less than 9.8 ha. production hub including sound stages, workshops, backlot and offices of similar form to The green infrastructure will include boundary the facilities on the adjacent Pinewood studios treatments and stand offs; protection of existing estate key landscape features / assets; provision of new the application, others relate to more specific, detailed design Principal development / enhanced landscape and ecology; a Points of access for the Development zone 2 The production studio zone also makes provision strengthened landscape frontage to Pinewood for: Road.

a) Education hub - building(s) in which film and The boundary provision will be between 10m and Production media related education support and outreach is 30m in depth subject to detailed design and provided across multiple age ranges approval under reserved matters, with a Development zone 1 studio substantive landscaped edge to Black Park (up b) Business growth hub – building(s) in which to 30m in depth) and appropriate landscaping screen and media related start-up, incubator and provision where building zones are close to commercial floorspace is provided together with * adjacent residential properties (typically a 15m Visitor wider business support facilities depth of woodland planting) in the post grant process (reserved matters). attraction The form and extent of development within in zones of visitor attraction Access points will be provided to the site through various uses by visitors, each zone is set out in PP7 the green boundary areas, including existing internal landscaping belts / areas. These access Education and business points will be located to minimise loss of existing growth hubs vegetation. and production studios * staff and servicing . DIAGRAM KEY: DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY APPLICATION BOUNDARY EXISTING RETAINED TREES

EXTENT OF DEVELOPMENT ZONES N GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ENTRANCE FEATURE N

0m 50 100 200 300 500m * 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 FaulknerBrowns LLP FaulknerBrowns LLP FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way ARCHITECTS Killingworth ARCHITECTS Killingworth PP2 Development zones Newcastle upon Tyne PP4 Green infrastructure Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW NE12 6QW

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132

A3 PP3A A3 PP6A Notes: Notes:

The land use parameters comprise buildings, The maximum height of any building within the movement (including access, parking and build areas shown will be as shown on the servicing) and green infrastructure. drawing (unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority). There are two different options (A and B), which show alternative locations / orientation of the The height is a maximum and it is not to be visitor attraction. interpreted as the height of all buildings.

The visitor attraction will comprise one or more Building heights should be measured on the basis individual or interconnected main buildings (up to of being 1m + or – from the levels identified on 10), together with smaller scale structures to PP1 (post completion of restoration). accommodate related support / service facilities. The limit on the total number of main buildings will Land uses across the site Within the movement zone (PP3A), there will be Defining the maximum be flexibly applied in agreement with the local some structures of a limited scale (predominantly planning authority when determining reserved single storey). These will be operational in terms of matters. their use (such as gatehouses, entrance features, Production security buildings and support facilities for bus / studio The production studio will be a series of buildings coach drivers). of different forms as required by the needs of film production. Within the 14.5m height zone, the height Visitor parameter relates to the business and education The Education and Business Growth Hubs will be hub, which will be building(s) of no more than 3 attraction one or more individual or interconnected storey and extending to a maximum floorspace buildings (up to 5 main structures) sited within the of 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft). Consequently, the movement zone adjacent to Pinewood Road. majority of the identified area will be for car park including buildings, green / movement use only. building heights across * infrastructure, movement the site – option A

DIAGRAM KEY: DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY MOVEMENT ZONES APPLICATION BOUNDARY +9.2m HEIGHT ZONE

BUILDINGS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH HUBS N +21.5m HEIGHT ZONE * N

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE * SECONDARY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m +14.5m HEIGHT ZONE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 FaulknerBrowns LLP FaulknerBrowns LLP FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way ARCHITECTS Killingworth ARCHITECTS Killingworth PP3A Land use Newcastle upon Tyne PP6A Building heights Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW NE12 6QW

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM Checker F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 37

A3 PP6B Notes:

The maximum height of any building within the build areas shown will be as shown on the drawing (unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority).

The height is a maximum and it is not to be interpreted as the height of all buildings.

Building heights should be measured on the basis of being 1m + or – from the levels identified on PP1 (post completion of restoration).

Within the movement zone (PP3A), there will be Defining the maximum some structures of a limited scale (predominantly single storey). These will be operational in terms of their use (such as gatehouses, entrance features, security buildings and support facilities for bus / coach drivers).

Within the 14.5m height zone, the height parameter relates to the business and education hub, which will be building(s) of no more than 3 storey and extending to a maximum floorspace of 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft). Consequently, the majority of the identified area will be for car park / movement use only. building heights across the site – option B

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY +9.2m HEIGHT ZONE

+21.5m HEIGHT ZONE * N

+14.5m HEIGHT ZONE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 128

Job Title: Job No: © Drawing & Design Copyright of: Screen Hub UK, Pinewood Studios 3770 FaulknerBrowns LLP FAULKNERBROWNS Dobson House Drawing Title: Northumbrian Way ARCHITECTS Killingworth PP6B Building heights Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6QW

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132

A3 PP7 Element Area (Ha) Area (acres) Floorspace (Sqm) Floorspace (sq ft) Parking Notes

69,677 m2 750,000 sq ft Cars - 2,341 Site (full) 32.6 80.5 Coach/ Bus - 25 Cycle - 269

Buildings (A) - 5.4 Buildings (A) - 13.3 Movement (A) - 6.5 Movement (A) - 16 32,516 m2 350,000 sq ft Cars - 1,400 5,000 non - peak Coach/ Bus - 25 6,500 mid - peak The caps on floorspace Visitor Attraction Buildings (B) - 6.1 Buildings (B) - 15 Cycle - 70 8,500 peak Movement (B) - 5.9 Movement (B) - 14.5

Cars - 715 The production studio building area will Buildings - 7.3 Buildings - 18 32,516 m2 350,000 sq ft Cycle - 150 include a backlot of circa 2 Ha* Production Studio Movement - 2.5 Movement - 6.2 Some parking will be available within the production studio building (approximately 100 spaces) with the and parking remainder (circa 615) being in a dedicated car park

4,645 m2 50,000 sq ft Cars - 226 Education and Cycle - 49 Business Hubs

10.3 25.4 Green Black Park Buffer - up to 30m wide Infrastructure Amenity Buffer - up to 25m wide Net Biodiversity Gain - at least 10%

Notes:

1. All floorspace are maxima and exclude any existing buildings.

* The floorspace figure for production (350,000 sq ft) will be in addition to any provision of space for backlot Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-SC-A - 01 - 000

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 2000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132

03 A DRIVER OF RECOVERY

Main Entrance 40 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

03 A DRIVER OF RECOVERY Screen Hub UK will be a key contributor to economic recovery at national and local level that is essential post the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hub is estimated to represent a £450m investment which could support around 3,500 jobs and add about £230m pa to the economy. Over the construction phase, support 1,500 jobs and add £300m pa to the economy. The additional tourism spend is in the order of £125m pa. The education hub will provide film- related (re)training and the business hub will support start-ups in the industry.

3.1 The proposed Screen Hub UK is a well-defined and privately funded development that would implement one of the priorities of the Industrial (and Recovery) Strategy for Buckinghamshire and the UK in the near term. 3.2 In the context of the severe ‘shocks’ to the local and national economy, the Screen Hub proposal is in a sector that is resilient and can deliver new economic activity, growth and employment. These benefits should be afforded urgency and weight in decision-making. 3.3 In summary the proposed scheme is in the national interest on the basis of the following principal themes

A Consistent with and delivering on industrial strategy priorities and projects

B Delivering substantial economic benefits C Achieving sustainable development D A contributor to social wellbeing and quality of life

A. Industrial strategy National Industrial 3.4 The UK Government committed itself to the preparation of a 3.5 The Industrial Strategy was approved and published in Strategy national industrial strategy in 2017 through the then Prime November 2017 with an ambition to:

Building a Britain fit for the future Minister the Lady Theresa May MP. Launching the policy initiative the then PM and the Business Secretary highlighted “Create an economy that boosts productivity and earning the importance of a modern strategy: power throughout the UK.”

“This is why our modern industrial strategy is a critical Industrial Strategy White Paper, November 2017 part of our plan for post-Brexit Britain. It will help deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society...” 3.6 The structuring foundation of the Industrial Strategy is based upon four foundations of productivity: Theresa May PM, Foreword to ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’ Green Paper, January 2017 Ideas The world’s most innovative economy

“Our aim is to establish an industrial strategy for the long People term – to provide a policy framework against which major Good job and greater earning power for all public and private sector investment decisions can be made with confidence.” Business environment The best place to start and grow a business Greg Clark, Introduction to ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’ Places Green Paper, January 2017 Prosperous communities across the UK SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 43

Creative Industries Sector Deal

3.7 The Creative Industries Sector Deal was agreed in 2018 noting 3.10 Film and HETV inward investment to the UK had grown that the sector was a priority for support and growth delivering substantially over the five years to 2017. Government Industrial a current value of £92bn to the economy, with film and high policy targets growth in the investment revenue from end television (HETV) alone attracting over £2bn of inward £2bn to £4bn by 2025 requiring substantial increases Strategy investment to the UK (2017), creating employment, boosting in studio capacity and skills. Creative Industries Sector Deal tourism and bringing the global talent to the UK13. 3.8 The importance of the creative industries sector and the role “Film inward investment in the UK has grown by of film and HETV is at the heart of the Government’s new 92 per cent over the last five years and high-end TV by industrial strategy. This was emphasised at the launch of the 162 per cent. With substantial increases in studio Sector Deal in March 2018 when the Business Secretary Greg capacity and investment in skills, it is feasible that in Clark said: the period to 2025 our revenues could nearly double to approximately £4bn a year.” “…we put the creative industries at the heart of our ambitious Industrial Strategy and this joint deal is a “Pinewood Studios Group is investing in a major landmark moment for our relationship with this world- extension of its studio facility in Buckinghamshire, leading sector.” adding six new soundstages, to be ready in 2019. This is phase two of an expansion programme which saw five new stages opened in 2016, and which is currently 3.9 The Prime Minister reinforced this at a Creative Industries operating at 100% capacity. All of this amounts to a reception at Downing Street in May 2018 saying: £200m investment initiative. The group also has plans for a major expansion at its Shepperton Studios, where “Our ambitious sector deal for the creative industries, it has recently acquired a new plot of land adjacent to announced just before Easter, will see a further £150 the existing site.” million invested by government and industry, spreading success and making the sector fit to face the future.” Creative Industries Sector Deal, page 54

13. Foreword to Creative Industries Sector Deal 44 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Tourism Sector Deal 3.11 The Tourism Sector Deal was approved by Government in 2019 with an objective of building a world-class experience Industrial economy. The Deal is intended to build upon the 38 million international visitors to the UK (2018) by targeting increases Strategy in productivity and investment. Tourism Sector Deal Building a world-class 3.12 Investment is targeted at the tourism infrastructure (facilities experience economy and attractions); people (careers and skills); productivity; data. 3.13 The foundations of the Deal can therefore be summarised as: • upgrading infrastructure • boosting productivity • developing skills • developing destinations 3.14 A specific theme is ‘investment in attractions’14 including ‘film and TV tourism’ with case studies cited of15: • Harry Potter Studios Tour • Game of Thrones • The Crown, Paddington, Poldark 3.15 The proposed Pinewood Studio Experience is a prime example of the type of investment in attractions envisaged in the Deal.

Local Industrial Strategy : Buckinghamshire LEP “Creative and digital 3.16 Picking up on the national and sector policy directions, the Buckinghamshire LEP will work to: Buckinghamshire LEP prepared a Local Industrial Strategy Buckinghamshire (LIS) which was approved by HM Government in July 2019. • consolidate a global creative industries capability Local Industrial and further support exporting and inward investment 3.17 A key theme of the LIS is ‘Mobilising Buckinghamshire’s Strategy in the film, TV and games sector; A Partner in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc internationally significant economic assets’ (‘building on • develop and enhance the Screen Industries Global July 2019 strengths’ as proposed in the Industrial Strategy). Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios to improve links 3.18 One of the local strengths is identified as: between creative content providers and the wider business and specialist education networks both “Pinewood Studios and the National Film and on and beyond the Pinewood lot; Television School • secure investment in key research facilities and Pinewood Studios is a centre of excellence for film and programmes; and TV production and has hosted internationally renowned • through the Creative Sector Action Group and franchises including Star Wars and James Bond. There Skills Advisory Panel, the LEP will work to: improve are over 250 business on the site and major expansion collaboration between different parts of the education is currently underway.” system; engage businesses in identifying local priorities and challenges; and supporting skills providers to page 22 respond to local economic priorities.”

3.19 The Creative and Digital sector in Buckinghamshire is page 26 identified within the LEP’s ambition for growth16: 3.20 The centre piece of the strategy is the proposed Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood which is now the subject of this planning application.

16. This includes LEP investments in the National Film and Television School and in training provision at Pinewood Studios 46 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Economic Recovery Strategy : Buckinghamshire LEP Summary 3.21 Events since early 2020 have impacted the implementation of economic strategies. The LEP has prepared an Economic 3.23 The proposed Screen Hub UK is consistent Recovery Strategy (ERS) at the request of HM Government with the industrial and recovery strategies with a focus on short term interventions to help with the and economic priorities of HM Government recovery of local economies and employment. Buckinghamshire Economic Recovery Plan and Buckinghamshire LEP. The scheme 3.22 The Buckinghamshire LEP ERS has brought a new focus upon therefore has strong support from the public economic investment and schemes that can be delivered in the reasonable near term and proposes: sector which adds considerable weight in planning decision-making. “Creative and digital • Screen Based Global Growth Hub, mirrored on the BBF Growth Hub but sector specific at Pinewood Studios • Buckinghamshire Film Offer – establish a Buckinghamshire Film Office to maximise production spend within the County • Building on the Government’s Tourism Sector Deal, develop a film inspired ‘experience’ similar to the Warner Brothers studio Tour/The Making of Harry Potter • Look to identify and support new studio development – Pinewood, Marlow and Halton”

Buckinghamshire LEP Economic Recovery Strategy, September 2020 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 47

B. Economic benefit and recovery A national picture A local picture 3.24 A development of the scale and type proposed – a £450m 3.26 The economic headline figures at a national level are17: 3.27 The Buckinghamshire LEP has published a summary of the investment – has the potential to bring substantial economic economic impacts that are being acutely experienced within • across Great Britain as a whole, there were 2.62 million 18 benefits directly and indirectly and locally to nationally. the Buckinghamshire economy . In summary: out of work benefit claimants as of July 2020 3.25 The investment is being proposed at a time when the global • total claimant figures have increased by 121% across • the impact on the aviation industry is severe on direct pandemic of COVID-19 has had a substantial adverse impact Great Britain since January 2020 employment and in the supply chain with an anticipated long upon the national economy in a short passage of time. This return to ‘normality’ • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimant figures show that context has added urgency and importance to the cascade of circa 132,835 people were recorded as seeking employment • the automotive industry has been significantly affected industrial (and economic) strategy summarised above. The in construction-related trades (as at July 2020). although recovery is expected to be swifter need to support all aspects of recovery is high in relation to: • there were a total of 252,700 people seeking work in sales • the retail and hospitality sectors have been hard hit although • reopening of existing economic activities across all sectors and customer service and roles in elementary occupations temporarily supported by government scheme. The impacts upon the food and drink sector in the post support period • recasting/repurposing of uses and development that have (such as kitchen and catering assistants; waiters, waitresses; is uncertain permanently lost their former economic position bar staff; leisure and theme park attendants; security guards and related occupations) • the unemployment claimant count increased by 10,000 • a priority for new economic development people in the period March – May 2020 This context is likely to worsen significantly in autumn 2020. • one-third of the workforce were furloughed in July with a risk of significant numbers not being re-employed 3.28 The recovery strategy focuses upon strengthening Buckinghamshire’s economic assets, in particular in the creative and digital sector (see above).

17. See Application Doc 14 : Economic and Social Benefits Assessment 18. See Economic Recovery Strategy, Buckinghamshire LEP, August 2020 and Evidence Base SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 49

Government 3.29 HM Government is placing substantial weight upon identifying and funding routes to recovery. This includes: • investment in infrastructure (public and private sector) • encouragement and support for construction and development (Build, build, build)19 • £900m for ‘shovel-ready’ projects over the UK (much delivered through the LEPs) • a programme of planning reform to seek to make the grant of planning permission for development simpler and faster in support of growth20 3.30 The priority that is being placed upon economic recovery (in part) through new developments and uses will change the nature of planning decision-making, particularly in relation to drawing the planning balances necessary between harms and benefits. This will have strong application for Green Belt decisions in particular the identification of very special circumstances and weight to be attached to economic and social benefits. This matter is set out more fully in Section 5 and the Planning Statement that accompanies the application21. 3.31 The UK economy has been stressed by the effects from the COVID- 19 pandemic with business closures and unemployment all rising significantly. The need to support development that will provide the basis of a recovery is urgent and supported by Government. The need to bring forward economic development is critical and to be given additional weight in planning decision-making.

19. PM announcement 30 June 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/build-build-build- prime-minister-announces-new-deal-for-britain Snow White and the Hunstman © Universal Pictures 20. Planning for the future 21. See Application Doc 08 : Planning Statement 50 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Economic impact 3.32 The application includes a technical assessment of economic and social impact22 which covers: jobs (construction and operational), increase in economic activity value (GVA), tourism effects, business growth and education/skilling and social benefits. Target outcomes

£450m 1,500 3,500 £230m pa £125m pa Investment Construction jobs FTE net new jobs Injection into the Tourism/visitor spend economy (GVA)

Start up and support of Training and reskilling of Screen industry awareness Community & Development and 50 new businesses 500 people and opportunity for all social value enrichment of 0 – 5 years 0 – 5 years Bucks school children outreach and engagement cultural assets

Fig. 8: Economic impact infographic 22. See Application Doc 14 : Economic and Social Benefits Assessment SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 51

Investment value 3.33 The full development extends to a built floorspace of 750,000 sq ft over a site area of 32 ha (77 a). The estimated Source Number FTEs Definitions construction cost/investment is £450m. Direct: jobs created by the project A DIRECT Indirect: jobs created in businesses supporting/servicing Employment/jobs Experience 392 the project 3.34 The protection and creation of jobs is a critical output of the Production studio 941 Induced: jobs created as a result of spending of income application scheme. The jobs are estimated for operation of earned by employment related to the project Education hub 39 the scheme and for its construction. Spill over: jobs created in other industries that do not Business hub 66 support/service the project or relate to the spending of Operational jobs (permanent) employee wages Total direct 1,438 3.35 The estimation of jobs is complex and includes generation from FTE: the number of full time equivalent jobs arising from all of the constituent uses which make up the Screen Hub UK as B INDIRECT AND INDUCED a larger number of total employed people who may be shown at Figure 9. All uses / total indirect and induced 1,230 part-time, seasonal etc

3.36 The job numbers total 3,567 (FTE) and are made up as in Figure 9. C OTHER

Spill over effects 198

Visitor expenditure 701

Total other 899

TOTAL NET ADDITIONAL A + B + C 3,567

Fig.9: Employment generation 52 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Aerial view of Pinewood East

Construction jobs Tourism spend 3.37 The estimate of construction jobs is 1,465 pa over a three 3.41 The additional tourism spend is estimated at £124m pa. year construction period. Summary Education Productivity benefits 3.44 The economic impacts of the 3.42 The education hub is intended to provide for all ages although proposed Screen Hub UK are Gross Value Added (GVA) with a short-term focus upon reskilling of the local workforce following the permanent impact on some sectors (eg. aviation). significant and substantial, 3.38 GVA is a measure of the contribution of an enterprise to A minimum target of reskilling of 500 people pa is proposed in realisable in the near term and the value of goods and services generated in a given area. the first three to five years from set up. The provision of CPD. a major potential contributor to economic recovery in priority 3.39 For the completed development the increase in GVA is Business growth estimated at £230m pa. business sectors. 3.43 The business growth hub is targeted to support the set-up 3.40 For the construction phase the GVA increase is £311m pa and growth of 50 new businesses in the first three to five (over an estimated 3 – 5 year period). years from set up. SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 53

C. Achieving sustainable development 3.45 Planning guidance at the national level is provided by the comprehensive green/blue infrastructure to deliver a significant National Planning Policy Framework (the ‘Framework’). The gain in biodiversity and quality of the ecological asset. Framework is a material planning consideration of significance and weight in decision making. 3.51 The application includes a sustainability strategy in relation to energy, water, waste and carbon reduction25.

3.46 The Framework identifies achieving sustainable development 26 as an overarching consideration to be assessed against 3.52 The application includes a sustainable transport plan . 23 economic, environmental and social objectives . These 3.53 The proposed scheme would also deliver highway objectives are to be delivered principally through plan-making improvements that will result in a net improvement in the although the principles of sustainable development are a operation of the highway network. useful reference point in the circumstances of this application. Social Economic 3.54 The social objective relates to the support of strong, vibrant Meadow boundaries 3.47 The economic objective of building a “strong, responsive and and healthy communities delivered through or well designed competitive economy” has never been more important in the and safe built environment; the health, social and cultural context of the economic recovery that is needed. wellbeing of communities through planning is identified. 3.48 The proposed development and its economic benefits plays 3.55 The contribution of the Screen Hub UK to ‘social cohesion’ and directly and significantly into meeting this objective. wellbeing is predominantly through the creation of jobs, the education provision and the proposed community-cultural Environmental shared use of the Centre Stage Hub. As an addition the Experience will provide opportunity for leisure and film-making 3.49 The environmental objective relates to the protection and entertainment/education. enhancement of the natural environment, making effective use of land, improving biodiversity and most appropriate use of resources in adapting to climate change. Assessment 3.50 The proposed development site is a part restored aggregates 3.56 The breadth of the proposed uses and their economic, quarry which has been backfilled with inert waste. The environmental and social effects will deliver a genuinely sustainable development. existing natural asset is therefore low24. The scheme proposes a Raised planters at thoroughfares

23. Para 8 NPPF 25. See Application Doc 17 : Sustainability Statement 24. See Application Doc 13 : Environmental Statement 26. See Application doc 10 : Transportation Assessment 54 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

D. Social value and wellbeing Pinewood’s Social Value Commitment Social value effects 3.57 Social value refers to the effects that organisations have 3.59 Pinewood is committed to generating and maximising social 3.60 The scale of the proposed investment is such that it would on the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, value through the following potential package of measures: deliver substantial economic benefits that can be seen and communities and society as a whole through their activities. measured as following through into social value27. • Construction contracts – incorporating local labour, 3.58 The social value created by the scheme has two skills and training and apprenticeship requirements in 3.61 A summary of the social value estimates is set out below: principal drivers: to construction contracts. Setting clear expectations of contractors with regard to the monitoring and reporting Total Social Indicator Financial Proxy Phase • Pinewood’s social value commitment of these social value measures throughout the duration Value (£m) • conversion of economic effects to social value of their contracts Social value £15,086 per Construction £6.468 • Creating opportunities for apprenticeships and of unemployed person (3 years) employment opportunities for people currently not in person returning to work Operational employment, education or training as part of the operation £21.685 (5 years) of Experience • Creation of a Business Growth Hub which could be Social value of £12,776 per Construction £2.082 accessible to start up and micro enterprises thereby helping NEETs gaining NEET (3 years) to deliver social value through providing a supportive employment28 Operational environment for enterprise formation. The Hub also offers £6.985 skills and professional development, through the provision (5 years) of mentoring schemes and employment and training Figure10 : Social value effects opportunities associated with the creative industries. • Creation of an Education Hub which could facilitate a wide range of training and retraining learning initiatives including: – Film production training courses (sponsored by local schools/college); – Film craft/crew courses; – Adult education initiatives (for enhancing skills and re-skilling for employment purposes as well as for leisure); and 27. See Application Doc 14 : Economic and Social Benefits Assessment Studio visits – Community engagement schemes, including 28. NEET: Not in employment, education or training 16-24 year olds schools visits. SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 55

Careers fair for Pinewood Studios Group Prop making skills in workshop

Careers fair for Pinewood Studios Group School visit – hair and make-up department British Film Academy graduates 2020. Photographer Sara Jane Henry

04 A QUESTION OF BALANCE

Stage exteriors at Pinewood Studios 58 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

04 A QUESTION OF BALANCE The determination of the planning application will require the balancing of Green Belt constraint against the economic and other benefits of the scheme. The scale, significance and breadth of the benefits associated with the Hub outweigh the constraints of the Green Belt location to justify a grant of planning permission.

Approach The development plan Green Belt assessment 4.1 The approach to determination of the planning application is 4.4 The development plan is made up of a series of South 4.6 There is compliance with many areas of the development clearly established and will involve judgements on the overall Buckinghamshire Local Plans of various ages and stage plan32. However, when read as a whole, the proposed balance of advantage and disadvantage. of completion status30. development does not accord with the development plan due to its conflict with Green Belt policy. 4.2 The legal and guidance framework can be summarised as: 4.5 The most relevant provisions to the determination of the application can be summarised as: 4.7 The Green Belt assessment deals with Green Belt purposes 1. Determining the application in accordance with the and the overall assessment of harm (see Section 8). development plan unless material considerations Green Belt It demonstrates that the proposed development: indicate otherwise29. The site is within the Green Belt where the development proposed would normally be refused, unless ‘very special • is inappropriate development and, by definition, harm to The relevant content of the development plan is noted circumstances’ apply to allow an exception. the Green Belt and its characteristic of openness would arise below which includes the site being within the Green Belt. • would result in harm to the Green Belt purpose of Employment land/economic development 2. In applying Green Belt policy the most up to date guidance encroachment into countryside The emerging Local Plan31 acknowledges and embraces the LEP is as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. • would have limited harm to the purpose of preventing strategy of directing economic growth through local economic the merging of towns The relevant guidance is at paragraphs 143–145. These assets, including Pinewood Studios. The Plan identifies the • would in addition have a substantial impact on landscape indicate that non-Green Belt compliant development Studios to be of international importance and significant to character by degree of change from a restored quarry (‘inappropriate development’) is by definition harmful to the UK economy which is to be supported at the site. the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very A biodiversity opportunity area and within the 4.8 Substantial weight should be attached to the Green Belt special circumstances. Colne Valley Park harm (including definitional harm) that has been identified. Very special circumstances will not exist unless the The application scheme would deliver a significant gain in potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of biodiversity and advance the objectives of the Colne Valley Park inappropriateness, and any other harm resulting from the proposal, is clearly outweighed by other considerations. 4.3 There is no prescribed formula for making the necessary judgements on harm and other considerations and their relative weight. The balance is for the decision-maker properly explained and justified.

29. Section 38(6) Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Section 70(2) 30. For a full analysis see Application Doc 08 : Planning Statement 32. See Application Doc 08 : Planning Statement, Section 6 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 31. The emerging Local Plan process has been suspended because of Examination difficulties and does not attract development plan weight 60 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Other harms Other material considerations 4.9 In the assessment above the proposed development is confirmed as technically acceptable although with other Positive impacts and benefits residual harms to landscape character, visual impact and 4.14 There are a range of positive impacts, benefits and factors 4. Environmental benefits residential amenity as assessed below. that are to be weighed against the harms identified above. The proposed scheme includes a substantial increase 33 in biodiversity and ecological asset value to a level that 4.10 The landscape impact is significant and arises from the 4.15 In summary they are: redevelopment of an agricultural field (when fully restored) is beyond minimum requirement. but is materially mitigated by the proposed green 1. The fixed location of Pinewood On site there is a biodiversity net gain of no less The proposed Screen Hub UK is intrinsically and essentially infrastructure of the scheme’s ecological gains. than 10% which could rise to more if the potential for related to the specific Pinewood site/location and is not enhancements at the Pinewood-owned Alderbourne Farm 4.11 The visual impact represents a significant degree of change capable of authentic successful delivery elsewhere. It is is taken into account. This is a matter for review over the that is adverse but in terms of visual amenity generally is low therefore geographically fixed. This factor is of high course of the application. impact. In relation to properties Royal Lodge and Park Lodge significance and weight. and for users of Pinewood Road (in relation to parameter The scheme has the potential to contribute significantly to option PP3B) only), with landscape mitigation, the residual 2. Implementing Government/LEP industrial strategy the objectives of the Colne Valley Park (the details of which The proposed Screen Hub UK would be consistent with impact is low reduced to low and is satisfactory. can be refined over the course of the application). national and local industrial strategy in principle and 4.12 These are overall weighted as minor to moderate for deliver a site specific proposal. This is of high significance The scale of the proposed green/blue infrastructure gain decision-making. and weight. s substantial and of high significance and weight.

4.13 The scheme will have an effect on air quality. A moderate 3. Economic and social benefits 5. Community benefits adverse impact will result from increased vehicle emissions The economic benefits arising from the scheme are The community benefits of shared use of buildings, at a small number of receptors close to the M25 and M40. substantial. The scheme would be one of the largest in local engagement/partnership and the extension of the The travel plan and the increased use of less polluting vehicles Buckinghamshire of recent times at £450m and the potential Pinewood permissive path network (including the potential will reduce this impact over time such that the net impact for job creation and growth in the economy at local and of Alderbourne Farm). They are of moderate significance is negligible, particularly given the overall level of traffic national level in a priority business sector is considerable and weight. that already exists at these receptor locations. (c. 3,500 jobs and a GVA contribution of £230m pa). These impacts are of high significance and weight. 6. Arts, culture and tourism The presence and operation of Pinewood Studios adds The positive impacts on social wellbeing are commensurate immeasurably to the role of film in the cultural life and with the economic benefits and are of moderate to high business of the UK. It is of high significance and weight. significance and weight. 33. Iver Heath Mixed Use Terrace Landscape Character Area SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 61

Planning balance summary 4.16 The Green Belt status of the site creates a presumption 4.21 In the planning balance the judgement is drawn that the against a grant of planning permission for the proposed Green Belt harms and other harms are outweighed by the development and harms to the Green Belt arise which are other considerations including the scale of benefits. to be afforded substantial weight. 4.22 This conclusion is made stronger by the COVID-19 context 4.17 There is a significant impact on landscape character and the priority to be given to economic investment to (by degree of change) and moderate to low impact on visual support recovery. Taking this into account the planning amenity (both mitigated). balance moves even further towards the Green Belt presumption being outweighed by the scheme’s policy 4.18 There is an initial moderate adverse impact on air quality support and related benefits. from traffic on a limited number of receptors which will reduce over time with the effect of the travel plan and changing technologies. 4.19 There are no other material adverse impacts with all Conclusion technical matters acceptable. 4.23 In this case very special 4.20 To be weighed against these ‘harms’ are the material considerations of: circumstances arise which justifies the grant of planning • fixed location (not footloose) permission for Screen Hub UK • implementing Government/LEP strategy in the Green Belt. • benefits in relation to: – the economy and social wellbeing – environmental and ecological enhancement – community – arts, culture and tourism The scale of these considerations is considerable at a national to local level and the weight to be attached to Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children TM & © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. them is substantial. The economic benefits alone are of major significance.

05 DELIVERING

Set build 64 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

05 DELIVERING A planning permission for Screen Hub UK would include planning conditions and other agreements to ensure a high quality scheme and delivery of the benefits in a commercially viable development.

5.1 A successful delivery of the proposed scheme and all of its Primary consent Design detail and reserved matters benefits will turn upon a blend of control, creativity and commerciality. 5.3 The primary consent will comprise: 5.4 There are a number of documents that will inform and control the design stages. 1. The description of development Control 5.5 In this case the most significant are those contained in the “Outline planning application with all matters reserved Development Framework and Design & Access Statement34 5.2 A planning permission granted for the proposed development which provides: would include a regime of control to provide clarity: (except for principal points of access) for the phased development of a screen industries global growth hub • development principles (see Section 2 above) • the primary consent of up to 750,000 sq ft (70,000 sq m) comprising: • development parameters (see Section 2 above) • the detailed design process to follow on • A visitor attraction of 350,000 sq ft comprising • design guidance (see Development Framework and Design • a mechanism for the assured delivery of benefits a series of buildings and Access Statement) • 350,000 sq ft of film production buildings Each is briefly elaborated opposite. 5.6 The applicant will work with Buckinghamshire Council officers (including sound stages, workshops, offices and stakeholders in the preparation of detailed designs. and an external film backlot) • An education hub (25,000 sq ft) Delivering benefits • A business growth hub (25,000 sq ft) 5.7 The breath of benefits which are proposed to comprise part of • Associated parking and servicing the very special circumstances in this case will be captured as • Green Infrastructure” necessary in the terms of the planning permission and related S106 agreements and undertakings. 2. The plans and documents to be approved • Application plan • Parameter plans

3. The conditions attached to the planning permission At the time of a positive decision.

4. The obligations of any S106 agreements and undertakings

At the time of a positive decision. 34. See Application Doc 09 : Development Framework and Design & Access Statement 66 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Creativity Commerciality 5.8 Beyond the matters of control above there will be a need for 5.13 The final and critical element of a successful delivery is that of creativity in delivery – an element that is not readily captured a commercially viable and marketable scheme across all of its in formal permission documents. constituent elements. 5.9 Creativity is a hallmark of Pinewood Studios and film-making 5.14 The most significant of these is the Pinewood Studio Experience which is proposed to be carried forward into the conception, which is the foundation for the development. PGL’s expectations design and delivery of the full Screen Hub UK scheme. It is most for the Experience are ambitious with annual visitors of up obvious in the creation of the Experience visitor attraction in to 2 million and to be within top 10 attractions in the UK with order to meet the objective of a world-leading visitor attraction. a significant international draw.

35 Carpentry 5.10 PGL are currently advised by Thinkwell Group , a global design 5.15 The production studios are a more predictable and better and production agency (and designers of The Making of Harry understood product by PGL being an expansion of the business Potter experience at Leavesden for Warner Brothers). PGL model that has proved successful at Pinewood and Shepperton would use the services of a leading creative agency. Studios. The market for screen production facility remains 5.11 Creative design is also required for the wider site development strong and growing with a continuing shortage in the UK for including the production studios and Centre Stage Hub. both inward investment and home production. Of particular significance is the design of the green/blue 5.16 The Centre Stage Hub(s) are not overtly commercial but are infrastructure scheme such that it becomes an integrated part an essential part of the project. It is likely to be funded by a of the overall site design in delivery of ecological value and high combination of philanthropy, grant funding and small-scale aesthetic experience. profit earnings (not for profit re investment model). 5.12 PGL propose the establishment of a dedicated design review 5.17 The commercial success of the proposed venture will in turn panel made up of acknowledged design experts, stakeholders provide the potential for projects above and beyond any S106 and the clients consultant team and Buckinghamshire Council. contributions primarily through the Pinewood Studios/ PGL A model of how this ‘Screen Hub Design Panel’ might work is 36 Hair and make-up ‘Community Fund’ . An outline of the proposed Fund is attached at Appendix 4. The panel would be facilitated by PGL attached at Appendix 5. and have an advisory role only.

35. https://thinkwellgroup.com/ 36. Modelled on the Shepperton Studios Community Fund associated with the expansion of that site SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 67

06 A PINEWOOD PERSPECTIVE

Aerial view of Pinewood 70 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

06 A PINEWOOD PERSPECTIVE Pinewood Studios has a long and illustrious film history of 84 years. It is at the heart of the creative cluster of West London and is the only site that can deliver a commercially successful UK Hub. The project is an implementation of Government and Buckinghamshire LEP policy which is supported by DCMS, Creative England, VisitBritain, Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, British Film Commission and British Film Institute.

6.1 In 2016 Pinewood Studios achieved 80 years in film-making. 6.3 For filmmakers world-wide, working at Pinewood Studios, Original invite to opening, 1936 The Studio has led the development of film entertainment London, England is an ambition and achievement. The studio from its opening in 1936 to the present day where it is a facility is world class and the experience is inspired by the global leader and icon of screen entertainment. productions of the past. 6.2 Pinewood Studios Group has a total of 58 stages globally 6.4 For movie fans everywhere Pinewood Studios is an icon of and a track record for hosting some of the biggest the screen with an impressive filmography. (See 80 Years international blockbusters in recent years, including the of Film at Appendix 6). Star Wars and James Bond franchises. Pinewood operates across three territories offering international sales, “Pinewood is the key building block of the British marketing, studio development and consultancy, as well Film Industry” as providing stages and water facilities, post production facilities and services in the UK. Duncan Kenworthy, Chair BAFTA 2004–06 Film and TV producer: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually

Page 23

Historic film shoot Historic carpentry workshop Historic film editing 72 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

A short history 6.5 ‘Pinewood’ is the marque of the Group that owns and operates 6.10 Proximity to London, but also the practical requirement Pinewood and Shepperton Studios and other studios across to be situated outside the metropolitan ‘smog zone’, located the world. ‘Pinewood’ is a leading provider of studio and these studios to the west in what is now the M25 corridor. related services to the global film and television industry, Consequentially a cluster was formed in this area of supporting film production, filmed television and studio creative and technical talent and supporting suppliers television recording, post production and facilities for and manufacturers which is now permanently established media-related businesses. and, because of its depth and complexity, is irreplaceable. 6.6 The company owns and operates film and television studios 6.11 While most of the traditional film studios disappeared or in the UK and has partnerships with studios in Canada and the diminished in size over the following decades, victim to Dominican Republic. obsolescence and the more profitable redevelopment of the land which they occupied, Pinewood Studios not only 6.7 The flagship site is Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath, survived but expanded into the creative hub and global J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors Ltd delivery van in the 1950s Buckinghamshire, 20 miles west of London, which is the only centre for film-making that it is today. production complex of its size and international profile in the UK. 6.12 Since 1936 there have been in the order of 2,000 films made at 6.8 The original Pinewood Studios opened in 1936 as a new model Pinewood with it becoming an iconic studio to rival MGM, in film studio design. It was one of several studios that were Universal and Walt Disney Studios in US. being developed by entrepreneurs in the 1930’s to supply product to the flourishing cinema industry. 6.13 Pinewood Studios today is a facility of around 1.7m sq ft having been significantly expanded since 2016 representing 6.9 Pinewood Studios was conceived by J. Arthur Rank as an investment of over £200m. a production facility to rival that of Hollywood and taken forward by Charles Boot who bought Heatherden Hall and 6.14 Although it has grown and modernised, the primary purpose of the estate for £35,000. Pinewood Studios has not changed since 1936: it is to provide the makers of feature films and television programmes with the facilities to record and edit moving images and sound, “I named it Pinewood because of those trees which grow and to create their sets, models and special effects, both there, and because it seemed to suggest something of the indoor and outdoor, physical and virtual. American film centre in its second syllable”

Rolls Royce camera car at the Double Lodge entrance to Pinewood, 1956 Charles Boot SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 73

Pinewood the place 6.15 This snapshot of Pinewood the place is vital for the Screen Hub UK scheme. The physical location of Pinewood is critical for the proposed Experience – visitors want to visit the Pinewood. It is also essential for the new film production space to integrate with the critical mass of resource that is present day Pinewood. 6.16 The proposed development can therefore only work at Pinewood as a fixed geographical location with the potential of linkage to an integration with the existing Studios site – the development is not footloose. This Green Belt location is also therefore unavoidable. 6.17 The expansion of Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath has been and is being supported by Government, the Buckinghamshire LEP and leading industry bodies, organisations and Outdoor set for Dark Shadows © Warner Brothers. All rights reserved. production companies.

Industry support 6.18 PGL has briefed the leading industry agencies and organisations and has received the support summarised below and included at Appendix 7.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Creative England VisitBritain Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP Caroline Norbury MBE, Chief Executive Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Chairman

“The government is committed to unlocking and harnessing “As you know, the UK economy is under considerable pressure “At VisitBritain, we are acutely aware of the importance the potential of the UK film and television sector and its from the impact of COVID-19 and the scale of adjustment of the British film industry as one of our fastest-growing extraordinary array of talent. Taken together it contributes arising from a new national status outside of the EU. and most successful exports and know that film tourism over £4.6 billion per year to UK GDP, reflecting the importance Notwithstanding these impacts we remain convinced that the generates a significant contribution of this overall boost of the sector and its truly global impact. Creative Industries can play a leading role in helping us to build to our economy. Indeed, figures estimate that more than back better and therefore continue to be committed to the £6 billion of visitor spend a year is attributable to British Many of the most popular and globally successful films are support and development of the Creative Industries as set out films, with many of the most lucrative and recognisable shot at Pinewood Studios. Given its hugely important role in in the Industrial Strategy Creative Industries Sector Deal. franchises such as Star Wars and the James Bond series leading the way in British film production, I warmly welcome being filmed at Pinewood. the proposed Pinewood Studios Experience initiative and its That Deal saw a commitment to the continuing growth of ambition to expand both its site and facilities, driving investment the film and high-end TV industry to approximately £4bn pa With all the damage that our tourism industry has sustained and helping deliver the government’s priorities for UK film. by 2025 requiring a substantial increase in studio capacity over the last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more and skills. This scale of ambition for the UK film and HETV important than ever that the UK continues to invest in Not only would this proposed development play a vital role sector is not dimmed although has obviously been affected exciting new projects and destinations that can drive the in strengthening our creative industries, it would also provide by recent international events. Inward investment film return of visitors in greater numbers. We welcome the vision a significant and much-needed boost to our tourism industry production is resuming in the UK, I was delighted to read that for a world-class visitor attraction at Pinewood. at a time when the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion was the first film in the have been damaging to this crucially important sector. UK to resuming shooting on 6 July at Pinewood. The global We believe that the Pinewood Studios Experience represents demand for content will continue to grow and the production a significant opportunity to reinforce and grow Pinewood’s The proposed Pinewood Studios Experience represents of screen-based content in the UK therefore remains strong. heritage and the wider reputation of the UK as a leading a significant opportunity for cementing both Pinewood’s tourist destination. We look forward to working with heritage and the wider reputation of the UK as a world-class As part of this work the LIS proposes the development of a Pinewood to ensure that this opportunity is seized.” visitor destination. Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios and the development you outlined, will play an important part of It is entirely appropriate that local planning decisions are made the implementation of this proposal. We also note that the locally, but I am happy to put on record my support in principle Bucks LEP Economic Recovery Strategy has placed even for this exciting proposal, which has the potential to form an greater emphasis on the Creative and Digital Sector as a driver important part of this government’s work in championing of recovery with the identification of a range of initiatives.” the success story of British film to a global audience.” SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 75

Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership British Film Commission Richard Harrington, Chief Executive Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO

“The Buckinghamshire Local Industrial Strategy identifies “The BFC leads on maximising and supporting the However, with this success have come major challenges. the creative and digital sector as a priority for investment production of major international feature film and high-end A key area of the BFC’s work is advising and helping source and the Global Growth hub will clearly improve links between TV (HETV) in the UK, strengthening and promoting the UK’s locations, key crew and talent and, crucially, studio space creative content providers and the wider business and film and TV infrastructure, and liaising between the for major productions. The increase in content demand, specialist education networks both on and beyond the Government and the film and TV industry to secure and which has not abated during the Covid-19 pandemic, has l Pinewood lot. maintain production-friendly policies. ed to severe stage space capacity shortages. This, in turn, has led to the loss of multiple feature films and TV series to The Economic Recovery Plan, which we have recently The proposed visitor attraction at Pinewood sounds competitor jurisdictions, with the resultant loss of millions published, reinforces this aspiration with proposals for: interesting and of high potential, particularly as it is of pounds in GDP and thousands of UK jobs. We are still associated with a brand and location at the heart of British • A Screen Based Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios committed to the growth of inward investment in UK film film-making. We are particularly interested in the potential and high-end TV as targeted in the Creative Industries Sector • Buckinghamshire Film Office cross over between the visitor attraction and live film and Deal; a more than doubling in growth to approximately • Film-inspired ‘experience’ at Pinewood Studios similar TV production. For this reason, the BFC has a productive £4bn a year by 2025. To achieve this, we need further skills to ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ at Leavesden partnership with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, development for the industry and significantly more studio responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing space, notwithstanding the welcome schemes at • New studio development at Pinewood, Marlow and Halton Britain’s visitor economy. VisitBritain’s research shows that Shepperton, Belfast Harbour, Dagenham, Elstree and These plans are entirely in line with the strategic objectives film and TV are powerful motivators for travel with almost elsewhere, the diversity of which meet the varying demands for the Creative Industry sector that have been set out by a third of potential visitors to the UK keen to visit places of our film, TV and streaming clients. the LEP Board. Furthermore, the economic impact of these ‘seen-on-screen’. Screen sector tourism is increasingly proposals is significant for both the national and the significant as travellers choose to visit destinations that The scale of the investment and economic benefits are Buckinghamshire economy…” formed the sets of their favourite TV shows and films. clearly substantial and would be welcome in our industry The abiding success of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – as we all seek routes to recovery and growth. The Making of Harry Potter perfectly demonstrates this. We are pleased to be able to confirm our support for the The UK film and TV sector is a orld-widew economic and Screen Industries Global Growth Hub project and if we can cultural success story. The sector, and its benefits, are assist in bringing it forward in any way please contact me.” growing faster than any other part of the UK economy. This success demonstrably impacts not just the UK’s creative economy but also our national economy. 76 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

British Film Institute Ben Roberts, Chief Executive Looking forward

“The proposed visitor attraction (The Pinewood Studios 6.19 The Screen Hub development comes at a time Experience) with its inspiration being drawn from the when the benefits that it will deliver have never Studios’ heritage and world-class reputation plays directly into the cultural appreciation and understanding of film. I been more needed given the scale of economic was particularly interested in the potential links to recovery required – all of which outweighs the film-related education, the potential role that content from Green Belt status of the site. the BFI National Archive might play, your plans for developing a skills programme and also your plans to 6.20 This is the case for a grant of planning permission provide space for start-up and growth businesses so vital to the future success of the screen sector economy. As for the proposed Screen Hub UK. these projects develop, we would be very interested in discussing whether there would be opportunities for programmes such as the BFI Film Academy and Creative Enterprise to find a place as part of the Screen Hub you are developing.

Finally, we are all focussed upon how our industries can contribute to the recovery effort that is needed in the UK (and globally) arising from the dramatic impacts of the CV-19 pandemic. The film, TV and moving image sector has not been immune but has fared better than most and we believe that it can be a force for good in the recovery effort. A project of the scale and potential of the Global Screen Growth Hub would I am sure make a strong contribution. We wish you well with the planning and design of the project which we are pleased to support.” Pinewood Studios

07 APPENDICES 1–7

Interior of the Richard Attenbororugh Stage 80 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Appendix 1 : List of Application Documentation

1. Application forms and certificates of ownership 2. Community Infrastructure Forms 3. Location plan 4. Site plan 5. Parameter plans 6. Illustrative Masterplans 7. The Case for Growth and Recovery 8. Planning Statement 9. Development Framework and Design & Access Statement 10. Transport Assessment and Framework Travel Plan 11. Landscape Strategy 12. Arboricultural Report 13. Environmental Statement 14. Economic and Social Benefits ssessmentA 15. Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy 16. Consultation Statement 17. Sustainability Statement

Appendix 2 : London Creative Cluster – schedule of attractors Infrastructure Skills Services Location Financial Stages up to 60,000 sq ft Producing Equipment hire and sale, including 3D cinema systems, broadcast London attracts as world city Tax relief simple and more Workshops Production management equipment, camera equipment and lighting Air accessibility worldwide attractive than other locations Production offices Production design, art direction, draughtsmanship, graphics and model- Accommodation and travel agents Shared language and culture with US Cost support for creative industries Backlots making Production companies (animation, film, tv and other media) Time zone – equidistant between across the political spectrum Underwater filming stage and Set construction: management and buying, rigging, carpentry, Industry associations and organisations West Coast USA and Far East exterior tank plasterwork, sculpting and moulding, set painting, scenic artistry and Broadcast and satellite services Access to support studios Post production audio and visual greens (landscaping sets with plants and trees) Casting and talent agency & acting and music agents Breadth of on-location sites editing suites and theatres Production buying and set dressing Location catering FACT accredited data centre Props IT and communication services Ultra fast fibre network Models Set construction supplies and services Secure site with access control Costume design and wardrobe Graphic design Make-up and hair dressing Film crew providers Prosthetics Production funding, film commissions & liaison offices Armoury and weapons-handling Film laboratories Special effects (SFX) Acting, craft and technical skills training Action vehicles Financial services Animal wrangling Hair and make up Stunts and wire-work Location services inc’ weather assessment, security, logistics and Cinematography location support Camera grip Props and modelmakers Lighting Motion capture Assistant directing and floor management Multimedia production services Sound recording Musical content providers Sound editing, mixing, re-recording and ADR Fitness and wellbeing services Picture editing Photography services Visual effects (VFX) Production services (audio and visual) Publicity: unit publicist, unit photographer and B-T-S creative content Diving and underwater filming services camera team Post-production services Production legal services Production insurance services Production accounting, financial control and production payroll Wood mill and metalwork Production health and safety Medical services Transport, unit cars, location vehicles, freighting and courier services Computer hire and networking Security 82 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Appendix 3: Development parameter plans & illustrative masterplans PP1A – Site context (current levels)

Notes:

Source – topographic survey August 2020

Part of the site is still under restoration from quarrying. In these locations, the parameters will be taken from the final restored levels, rather than 61.88 AOD those shown on the topographic survey. In areas where restoration is still to be completed, the levels will be representative of those shown for the areas that have already been restored (typically ranging from 60 to 62 m AOD) 61.82 AOD 62.02 AOD +62.0 61.21 AOD 62.02 AOD +55.0 +59.0 +62.0 61.69 AOD

61.63 AOD +71.0

+61.0 +62.0 +62.0 +59.0 61.76AOD 61.67AOD +62.0

+62.0 +61.0 +59.0 61.65 AOD 61.19 AOD 61.33 AOD 61.04 AOD

+60.0

+61.0 +59.0 61.01 AOD +62.0 60.64 AOD 61.22 AOD

61.13 AOD

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY EXISTING RETAINED STRUCTURES

CONTOURS (1m intervals) EXISTING VEHICULAR ACCESS N 0m 50 100 200 300 500m EXISTING TREES EXISTING SPOT LEVELS Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 120

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 83

PP1B – Site context (proposed levels)

61.88 AOD

61.82 AOD 62.02 AOD

61.21 AOD 62.02 AOD 61.69 AOD 61.63 AOD 62 +/-1m

61.5 +/-1m 62 +/-1m 61.76AOD 61.67AOD

61.65 AOD 61.19 AOD 61.33 AOD 61.04 AOD 61 +/-1m 61 +/-1m

61.01 AOD

60.64 AOD 61.22 AOD

61.13 AOD

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY PROPOSED LEVELS

EXISTING TREES EXISTING LEVELS FROM TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY

Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 121

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 84 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

PP2 – Development zones

Notes:

Two principal development zones are identified:

1) Visitor attraction - a bespoke film-inspired leisure/tourism facility incorporating exhibition space, related and ancillary food & drink, retail and guest facilities (internal and external)

2) Production studio - a film and media production hub including sound stages, workshops, backlot and offices of similar form to the facilities on the adjacent Pinewood studios estate Development zone 2 The production studio zone also makes provision for:

a) Education hub - building(s) in which film and Production media related education support and outreach is provided across multiple age ranges Development zone 1 studio b) Business growth hub – building(s) in which screen and media related start-up, incubator and commercial floorspace is provided together with Visitor wider business support facilities

attraction The form and extent of development within in each zone is set out in PP7 Education and business growth hubs

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY

EXTENT OF DEVELOPMENT ZONES N

0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 122

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 85

PP3A – Land use

Notes:

The land use parameters comprise buildings, movement (including access, parking and servicing) and green infrastructure.

There are two different options (A and B), which show alternative locations / orientation of the visitor attraction.

The visitor attraction will comprise one or more individual or interconnected main buildings (up to 10), together with smaller scale structures to accommodate related support / service facilities. The limit on the total number of main buildings will be flexibly applied in agreement with the local planning authority when determining reserved matters. Production studio The production studio will be a series of buildings of different forms as required by the needs of film production. Visitor The Education and Business Growth Hubs will be attraction one or more individual or interconnected buildings (up to 5 main structures) sited within the movement zone adjacent to Pinewood Road.

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY MOVEMENT ZONES

BUILDINGS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH HUBS N

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE * SECONDARY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 123

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 86 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

PP3B – Land use

Notes:

The land use parameters comprise buildings, movement (including access, parking and servicing) and green infrastructure.

There are two different options (A and B), which show alternative locations / orientation of the visitor attraction.

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY MOVEMENT ZONES

BUILDINGS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH HUBS N

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE * SECONDARY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 124

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 87

PP4 – Green infrastructure

Notes:

The development will support the delivery of a 10% minimum biodiversity net gain through green infrastructure provision. This will include a comprehensive landscape and ecological enhancement scheme for the application site

The total area of green infrastructure within the application site will be no less than 9.8 ha.

The green infrastructure will include boundary treatments and stand offs; protection of existing key landscape features / assets; provision of new / enhanced landscape and ecology; a strengthened landscape frontage to Pinewood Road.

The boundary provision will be between 10m and 30m in depth subject to detailed design and approval under reserved matters, with a substantive landscaped edge to Black Park (up to 30m in depth) and appropriate landscaping provision where building zones are close to * adjacent residential properties (typically a 15m depth of woodland planting)

Access points will be provided to the site through the green boundary areas, including existing internal landscaping belts / areas. These access points will be located to minimise loss of existing vegetation. *

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY EXISTING RETAINED TREES

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ENTRANCE FEATURE N

* 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 125

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 88 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

PP5 – Access and movement

Notes:

The site will be accessed principally from Uxbridge Road and Pinewood Road with access also be provided to the north from the existing Pinewood Studios estate.

Additional service access points will also be required along Pinewood Road

The approval of the site entrance arrangements is included for approval under the outline planning application with its design detail for subsequent approval under reserved matter submissions and related highways agreements

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY SECONDARY ACCESS (SERVICE) ACCESS ZONE

PRINCIPAL ACCESS (ATTRACTION) MAJOR ENTRANCE FEATURE N * ACCESS ZONE FROM EXISTING STUDIO PRINCIPAL ACCESS (PRODUCTION) 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 126

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 89

PP6A – Building heights

Notes:

The maximum height of any building within the build areas shown will be as shown on the drawing (unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority).

The height is a maximum and it is not to be interpreted as the height of all buildings.

Building heights should be measured on the basis of being 1m + or – from the levels identified on PP1 (post completion of restoration).

Within the movement zone (PP3A), there will be some structures of a limited scale (predominantly single storey). These will be operational in terms of their use (such as gatehouses, entrance features, security buildings and support facilities for bus / coach drivers).

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY +9.2m HEIGHT ZONE

+21.5m HEIGHT ZONE * N

+14.5m HEIGHT ZONE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 127

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM Checker F+44(0)191 2478132 90 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

PP6B – Building heights

Notes:

The maximum height of any building within the build areas shown will be as shown on the drawing (unless otherwise agreed by the planning authority).

The height is a maximum and it is not to be interpreted as the height of all buildings.

Building heights should be measured on the basis of being 1m + or – from the levels identified on PP1 (post completion of restoration).

DIAGRAM KEY:

APPLICATION BOUNDARY +9.2m HEIGHT ZONE

+21.5m HEIGHT ZONE * N

+14.5m HEIGHT ZONE 0m 50 100 200 300 500m Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-DR-A- 01 - 128

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 5000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 91

PP7 – Development numbers and yield

Element Area (Ha) Area (acres) Floorspace (Sqm) Floorspace (sq ft) Parking Notes

69,677 m2 750,000 sq ft Cars - 2,341 Site (full) 32.6 80.5 Coach/ Bus - 25 Cycle - 269

Buildings (A) - 5.4 Buildings (A) - 13.3 Movement (A) - 6.5 Movement (A) - 16 32,516 m2 350,000 sq ft Cars - 1,400 5,000 non - peak Visitor Attraction Coach/ Bus - 25 6,500 mid - peak Buildings (B) - 6.1 Buildings (B) - 15 Cycle - 70 8,500 peak Movement (B) - 5.9 Movement (B) - 14.5

Cars - 715 The production studio building area will Buildings - 7.3 Buildings - 18 32,516 m2 350,000 sq ft Cycle - 150 include a backlot of circa 2 Ha* Production Studio Movement - 2.5 Movement - 6.2 Some parking will be available within the production studio building (approximately 100 spaces) with the remainder (circa 615) being in a dedicated car park

4,645 m2 50,000 sq ft Cars - 226 Education and Cycle - 49 Business Hubs

10.3 25.4 Green Black Park Buffer - up to 30m wide Infrastructure Amenity Buffer - up to 25m wide Net Biodiversity Gain - at least 10%

Notes:

1. All floorspace are maxima and exclude any existing buildings.

* The floorspace figure for production (350,000 sq ft) will be in addition to any provision of space for backlot Do not scale this drawing Do not derive dimensions from digital media

Drawing Status: Suitability: Drawing No: Rev: Rev Date Revision Notes Drawn By Checked By PLANNING 3770-FB-XX-00-SC-A - 01 - 000

Date: Scale: Drawn By: Checked By: T+44(0)191 2683007 30/09/20 1 : 2000 RM CE F+44(0)191 2478132 92 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Appendix 4: Pinewood Screen Hub UK – Design Review Panel

1. The proposed Screen Hub UK is a major development Status Operation of 750,000 sq ft of built floorspace over 32 hectares. 6. The status of the Panel is advisory and independent; it would have 8. The Panel would meet physically or virtually to an agenda set by 2. Post grant of outline planning permission a detailed design no statutory role. It would not be part of or under the control of the the Chair informed by PGL. process is necessary in accordance with the development local authority or any other body. parameters and principles included in the application. 9. The PGL design team (as appropriate) would attend to brief, explain and take feedback. 3. The design process will result in one or more applications Membership for the approval of ‘reserved matters’ which will include: 10. The meetings would be ‘closed’ and by invitation but transparent 7. The membership of the Panel is proposed as: in the publication of the advice given. • access (within the site) Chair 11. A wider invitation to ‘observers’ or to ‘specialists’ would be • appearance An experienced design professional with an understanding possible at the discretion of the Chair. • landscaping of planning and large scale commercial/leisure development 12. The Panel would be advisory only and not hold any decision- • layout Members making authority. • scale A group of 7 (max) with a spread of experience and interest • Architect x1 Life 4. PGL propose to establish a design review panel (‘Panel’) to provide an advisory service to the design as part of a wider consultation • Masterplanner x1 13. The Panel is intended to serve the design process for Screen and engagement process. The Panel would be dedicated to the • Landscape architect x1 Hub UK only and would confine its work to that scheme and Screen Hub UK scheme and funded (as necessary) by PGL. wind up after the process is complete. • Planner x1 Role • Transport x1 • Film x1 5. The role of the Panel is proposed as: • Residents x2 (observers) • to engage in the design process and provide expert review advice and opinion on design matters Administration Provided by PGL services SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 93

Appendix 5: Pinewood Studios Community Fund

Outline of potential approach 1. Pinewood Group Ltd propose to establish the ‘Pinewood 6. On set up the PCF panel would publish: Community Fund’ (‘PCF’) in 2021. This follows a similar fund being 1) A statement of objects and purposes set up for Shepperton Studios which provides a suitable model. 2) A target figure to fund over ten years Purpose 3) A statement of ‘governance’ 2. The purpose of the PCF would be: (the PCF would not be a Trust arrangement) • to make grants available for community projects in the fields 4) A guide to the fund including: of youth and community development with a focus upon a. the focus of the PCF education in and growth of screen-based industries . b what bodies will be eligible Structure . c the type of projects that will be encouraged

3. The PCF would be directed by a Pinewood Community Panel d. the process for inviting grant applications comprising directors and employees of PGL (as decision-makers) . e how decisions and grants will be made and invited members of the local community as advisors. . f the conditions associated with grant awards 4. The Panel would be responsible for inviting, processing and . g how the scheme will be reviewed deciding on applications for grant awards – either directly or by a scheme of delegation. 5. PGL would be the funding source and make available annual amounts at a level to be decided (and subject to underlying profitability of the Pinewood business). 94 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Appendix 6: Selective filmography – 80 years of film

Recent years… The 2000s… The 1990s…

Rogue One: My Week With Marilyn United 93 Enigma A Star Wars Story Pirates of the Caribbean: Nanny McPhee Lara Croft: Beauty and the Beast On Stranger Tides Tomb Raider Charlie and the Bridget Jones’s Baby, The Chronicles of Narnia: Chocolate Factory Last Orders Dawn Treader Doctor Strange Harry Potter and the Proof of Life Miss Peregrine’s Home The Woman in Black Goblet of Fire The Mummy Returns for Peculiar Children X-Men: First Class Alexander The World is Not Enough The Huntsman Harry Potter and the Alfie Entrapment Deathly Hallows Cinderella The Phantom of the Opera Mansfield Park The Wolfman Mission: Impossible – Die Another Day Eyes Wide Shut Rogue Nation Kick Ass Planet of the Apes Sliding Doors SPECTRE Atonement The Avengers Star Wars: Mamma Mia! Tomorrow Never Dies The Force Awakens Fred Claus The Fifth Element Kingsman: In Bruges The Secret Service The Jackal Sunshine Paddington The Saint Sweeney Todd Prometheus Emma The Bourne Ultimatum Skyfall Evita The Dark Knight Fierce Creatures Casino Royale Mission Impossible Children of Men First Knight Stardust Hackers The Da Vinci Code Interview with the Vampire

Gregory Peck taking a break from filming The Million Pound Note, 1952 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 95

The 1980s… The 1970s… The 1960s… The 1950s… The 1940s… The 1930s… Mary Reilly Curse Of The Pink Panther Moonraker Please Sir A Night to Remember Kind Hearts and Coronets A Tale of Two Cities City of Joy Octopussy The Thirty Nine Steps On Her Majesty’s Carry On Nurse The Red Shoes Secret Service Patriot Games Trail Of The Pink Panther Death on the Nile The Prince and the Showgirl Oliver Twist Shadowchaser Krull International Velvet Carry On Camping Doctor at Large Air America Pink Floyd The Wall Superman Carry On Up the Khyber Doctor at Sea Buddy’s Song Victor/Victoria The Medusa Touch The Prime of Miss Reach For the Sky Jean Brodie King Ralph Who Dares Wins Gulliver’s Travels Doctor in the House Billion Dollar Brain Let Him Have It Dragonslayer The Prince and the Pauper Genevieve Carry On Doctor Memphis Belle For Your Eyes Only The Spy Who Loved Me The Importance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Nightbreed Clash of the Titans Bugsy Malone Being Earnest Carry On Screaming The Russia House Superman II The Slipper and the Rose The Million Pound Note Carry On Don’t Lose A Dry White Season Rollerball Your Head Adventures Of Baron The Man With The To Sir with Love Munchausen Golden Gun You Only Live Twice Batman The Great Gatsby Romeo and Juliet Hellbound: Hellraiser II Bless this House Thunderball Full Metal Jacket Live and Let Die A High Wind in Jamaica Superman 4: Sleuth Carry On Cleo The Quest For Peace The Amazing Mr Blunden Goldfinger The Living Daylights The Day of the Jackal The Ipcress File Aliens The Devils Doctor in Distress Little Shop Of Horrors Diamonds Are Forever Spies Like Us From Russia With Love A View To A Kill Dr No Legend Whistle Down the Wind Morons From Outer Space Doctor in Love Santa Claus Sink the Bismarck! 96 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Appendix 7: Letters of support SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 97

3rd September 2020 placed even greater emphasis on the Creative and Digital Sector as a driver of recovery with the identification of a range of initiatives, including: Andrew M. Smith Corporate Affairs Director • Screen Based Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios Pinewood Group Ltd • Buckinghamshire Film Office Pinewood studios • Film-inspired ‘experience’ at Pinewood Studios similar to ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ at Pinewood Road Leavesden Iver Heath • New studio development at Pinewood, Marlow and Hatton Buckinghamshire We see the comprehensive nature of the development now proposed at Pinewood to be a key SL2 4FB delivery step for these strategies and proposals.

The proposed visitor attraction will bring obvious economic benefits to the wider national and local Dear Andrew, economy in support of economic and social recovery. It will celebrate and reinforce the unique position of Pinewood Studios at Iver as an icon of the global film industry – it is difficult to see how SCREEN BASED GLOBAL GROWTH HUB, PINEWOOD STUDIOS this could be achieved anywhere else in the UK to such effect. As you know, Creative England, in association with VisitEngland produced a report in 2015, ‘Quantifying Film and Television Tourism in It was lovely to see you again and hear more about the emerging thinking for the Screen Based England’. We are also supportive of the further provision of new film production facilities which are Global Growth Hub based at Pinewood. Having conferred with my team further to our meeting on still required to meet global demand and complementary to the establishment of studio space st 21 August I wanted to formally register our interest and support. elsewhere in the South East and UK more widely.

As you know, the UK economy is under considerable pressure from the impact of COVID-19 and the As I mentioned to you when we met, I’ve since also had a meeting with the co-chairs of the scale of adjustment arising from a new national status outside of the EU. Notwithstanding these Buckinghamshire Cultural Partnership. As promised, I didn’t share your new plans, but can also see impacts we remain convinced that the Creative Industries can play a leading role in helping us to a real fit with their proposals for the wider cultural offering within the county too. build back better and therefore continue to be committed to the support and development of the Creative Industries as set out in the Industrial Strategy Creative Industries Sector Deal. The proposed screen industries growth hub has the potential to make a significant contribution to skilling/reskilling at a time of major employment change and in assisting related business start-ups, That Deal saw a commitment to the continuing growth of the film and high-end TV industry to incubation and growth. As you know, this is something which Creative England has worked with approximately £4bn pa by 2025 requiring a substantial increase in studio capacity and skills. This Pinewood and Buckinghamshire Business First last year. The growth hub has the potential to make a scale of ambition for the UK film and HETV sector is not dimmed although has obviously been significant contribution to the UK economic recovery. We are pleased to offer our support. affected by recent international events. Inward investment film production is resuming in the UK, I was delighted to read that Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion was the first film in the UK to Very best wishes resuming shooting on 6 July at Pinewood. The global demand for content will continue to grow and the production of screen-based content in the UK therefore remains strong.

Time has moved on since the Government approved the Sector Deal and we have seen the strategy expressed in more detail in the work of the Buckinghamshire LEP. Their Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) of July 2019 identified Pinewood Studios and the National Film and Television School as part of Buckinghamshire’s ‘internationally significant economic assets’ being that of ‘Creative and Digital’. Caroline Norbury, MBE The Strategy ambition is to “consolidate a global creative industries capability and further support Chief Executive, Creative England exporting and inward investment in the film, TV and games sector”.

As part of this work the LIS proposes the development of a Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios and the development you outlined, will play an important part of the implementation of this proposal. We also note that the Bucks LEP Economic Recovery Strategy has

98 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

Andrew Smith Head of Corporate Affairs Pinewood Studios T : +44 (0)20 7578 1000 Iver Heath Buckinghamshire SL0 0NH

28 September 2020

Dear Andrew,

I am writing in my capacity as the Chairman of VisitBritain to express my enthusiasm and support for the Pinewood Studios Experience initiative being developed by Pinewood Studios.

At VisitBritain, we are acutely aware of the importance of the British film industry as one of our fastest-growing and most successful exports and know that film tourism generates a significant contribution of this overall boost to our economy. Indeed, figures estimate that more than £6 billion of visitor spend a year is attributable to British films, with many of the most lucrative and recognisable franchises such as Star Wars and the James Bond series being filmed at Pinewood.

With all the damage that our tourism industry has sustained over the last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that the UK continues to invest in exciting new projects and destinations that can drive the return of visitors in greater numbers. We welcome the vision for a world-class visitor attraction at Pinewood.

With the new, expanded site and facilities, I am sure that Pinewood will drive greater inward investment in the film, television and game sectors: this will, in turn, export even farther and wider the success story that is British cinema.

We believe that the Pinewood Studios Experience represents a significant opportunity to reinforce and grow Pinewood’s heritage and the wider reputation of the UK as a leading tourist destination. We look forward to working with Pinewood to ensure that this opportunity is seized.

Yours sincerely

Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin CH Chairman of the BTA Board

SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 99

We look forward to working with colleagues at Pinewood to help deliver these exciting proposals and bring significant investment into Buckinghamshire.

September 25th 2020 Yours sincerely

Pinewood - Screen Industries Global Growth Hub

Dear Andrew,

th Richard Harrington Thank you for your presentation to the Buckinghamshire LEP Board last Friday (September 18 ) Chief Executive, Buckinghamshire LEP regarding the proposed Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood.

The Board were very impressed with the proposals and felt that from an economic perspective they perfectly reflected the ambitions of both the Buckinghamshire Local Industrial Strategy and also the Economic Recovery Plan for Buckinghamshire. We were particularly pleased to see the commitment to the education and skills hub within the proposals given the demand for talent within this sector and the need to support other sectors such as the aviation industry that are currently experiencing significant challenges.

The Buckinghamshire Local Industrial Strategy identifies the creative and digital sector as a priority for investment and the Global Growth hub will clearly improve links between creative content providers and the wider business and specialist education networks both on and beyond the Pinewood lot.

The Economic Recovery Plan, which we have recently published, reinforces this aspiration with proposals for:

• A Screen Based Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios • Buckinghamshire Film Office • Film-inspired ‘experience’ at Pinewood Studios similar to ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ at Leavesden • New studio development at Pinewood, Marlow and Halton

These plans are entirely in line with the strategic objectives for the Creative Industry sector that have been set out by the LEP Board. Furthermore, the economic impact of these proposals is significant for both the national and the Buckinghamshire economy with an estimated £450m of commercial investment going into the new Facilities; £200m Annual GVA Uplift and 4,000 Full Time Equivalent Jobs being created. This will also play an important part in helping to deliver the Creative Industries Sector Deal which is looking continue the growth of the film and high-end TV to £4bn pa by 2025.

In offering their universal endorsement for these exciting proposals, the Board also wanted me to highlight the desire of the Board to support Pinewood in developing an innovative and integrated transport package helping serve the new facilities and their desire that the local business community will have the opportunity to bid for and win contracts in the development of the new facilities.

Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, Claydon House, 1 Edison Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8TE. Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, West Wing, High Wycombe Campus, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2GZ.

T: 01494 927132 E: [email protected] www.buckstvlep.co.uk T: 01494 927132 E: [email protected] www.buckstvlep.co.uk

Registered in England Wales No. 11912208 – Registered Office: Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, Claydon House, 1 Edison Road, Rabans Lane Industrial Area, Aylesbury, Registered in England Wales No. 11912208 – Registered Office: Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, West Wing, High Wycombe Campus, Queen Alexandra Road, High HP19 8TE. Wycombe, HP11 2GZ. 100 SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery

British Film Commission The Arts Building Morris Place London challenges. A key area of the BFC’s work is advising and helping source locations, key crew and talent and, N4 3JG crucially, studio space for maor productions. The increase in content demand, which has not abated during the Covid pandemic, has led to severe stage space capacity shortages. This, in turn, has led to the loss of Tel +44 (0)20 7613 7675 multiple feature films and TV series to competitor urisdictions, with the resultant loss of millions of pounds www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk in G and thousands of UK obs. e are still committed to the growth of inward investment in UK film and Andrew M. Smith highend TV as targeted in the Creative ndustries Sector eal a more than doubling in growth to Corporate Affairs Director Pinewood Studios approimately bn a year by . To achieve this, we need further skills development for the industry and Pinewood Road significantly more studio space, notwithstanding the welcome schemes at Shepperton, Belfast Harbour, Iver Heath agenham, Elstree and elsewhere, the diversity of which meet the varying demands of our film, TV and Buckinghamshire streaming clients. SL2 4FB The scale of the investment and economic benefits are clearly substantial and would be welcome in our 14 September 2020 industry as we all seek routes to recovery and growth.

e are pleased to be able to confirm our support for the Screen ndustries Global Growth Hub proect and if we can assist in bringing it forward in any way please contact me. Dear Andrew ours sincerely Your presentation to me explaining the emerging thinking for the Screen Based Global Growth Hub based at

Pinewood was of great interest and is certainly most timely.

As you now, the British Film Commission (BFC) is the UK Government’s national organisation responsible for supporting inward investment film and TV production in the UK, funded by the Department for Digital,

Culture, Media and Sport through the BFI, and by the Department for International Trade, with corporate Adrian ootton BE sponsorship from key film and TV clients including HBO, Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. CE

British Film Commission and Film ondon The BFC leads on maximising and supporting the production of major international feature film and high-end TV (HETV) in the UK, strengthening and promoting the UK’s film and TV infrastructure, and liaising between the Government and the film and TV industry to secure and maintain production-friendly policies.

We are keenly interested in, and supportive of, investment in the promotion of the screen industries at a cultural level noting the emergence of projects in the film tourism field, for example the £24m Game of Thrones attraction in Banbridge in Northern Ireland.

The proposed visitor attraction at Pinewood sounds interesting and of high potential, particularly as it is associated with a brand and location at the heart of British filmmaking. We are particularly interested in the potential cross over between the visitor attraction and live film and TV production. For this reason, the BFC has a productive partnership with VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. VisitBritain’s research shows that film and TV are powerful motivators for travel with almost a third of potential visitors to the UK keen to visit places ‘seen- on-screen’. Screen sector tourism is increasingly significant as travellers choose to visit destinations that formed the sets of their favourite TV shows and films. The abiding success of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter perfectly demonstrates this.

The UK film and TV sector is a world-wide economic and cultural success story. The sector, and its benefits, are growing faster than any other part of the UK economy. This success demonstrably impacts not just the UK’s creative economy but also our national economy. However, with this success have come major

Film London is a company limited by guarantee – registered in England and Wales no. 4699825. The British Film Commission is the national division of Film London. Film London is a company limited by guarantee – registered in England and Wales no. 4699825. The British Film Commission is the national division of Film London. SCREEN HUB UK : The Case for Growth and Recovery 101

Letter of support from BFI Andrew M. Smith Finally, we are all focussed upon how our industries can contribute to the recovery effort Corporate Affairs Director that is needed in the UK (and globally) arising from the dramatic impacts of the CV-19 Pinewood Studios pandemic. The film, TV and moving image sector has not been immune but has fared Pinewood Road better than most and we believe that it can be a force for good in the recovery effort. A Iver Heath project of the scale and potential of the Global Screen Growth Hub would I am sure make Buckinghamshire a strong contribution. We wish you well with the planning and design of the project which SL2 4FB we are pleased to support.

23rd September 2020 Yours sincerely,

Dear Andrew,

The BFI is a cultural and education charity, core funded by Government, with a unique role in shaping the economic and creative success of film, TV and the moving image across the UK.

As you know, the breadth of our work extends from caring for the BFI National Archive, one of the largest and most important collections of film and television in the world, to Ben Roberts, Chief Executive curating and presenting the greatest international public programme of world cinema for …………… audiences – in cinemas, at festivals and online. As a distributor of National Lottery funding, we actively seek out and support the next generation of filmmakers and support the development of skills in the sector. We work closely with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place in the world to make film.

With all this in mind, your briefing on the proposed Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood is great interest to us on many levels as highlighted below.

The proposed visitor attraction (The Pinewood Studios Experience) with its inspiration being drawn from the Studios’ heritage and world-class reputation plays directly into the cultural appreciation and understanding of film. I was particularly interested in the potential links to film-related education, the potential role that content from the BFI National Archive might play, your plans for developing a skills programme and also your plans to provide space for start-up and growth businesses so vital to the future success of the screen sector economy. As these projects develop, we would be very interested in discussing whether there would be opportunities for programmes such as the BFI Film Academy and Creative Enterprise to find a place as part of the Screen Hub you are developing.