Pinewood Studios, near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, submitted plans for a 1.4m sq ft (130,064 sq m) expansion to build 21 new stages, a training hub and a publicly accessible nature reserve. Buckinghamshire Council has now signed off the proposals and approved it.

Pinewood Group said the expansion would make it the "biggest studio complex in the world" and create 8,000 jobs and that it would  "inject £640m a year into the UK economy".

"The approved expansion will directly address the continued growth in demand for production accommodation in the UK," Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said it was "fantastic to see Pinewood expanding its studios”, she continued with "The UK's film and TV industries are booming and this £800m expansion is testament to the sector's global success.” Finishing her statement with "The investment will help create more jobs, develop new talent and enable even more high-quality productions to be made on our shores."

As well as expanding the studios, the group will also create a 63-acre nature reserve at Alderbourne Farm.

"The publicly accessible reserve will protect existing habitats and enhance local biodiversity, as well as provide new footpaths, thereby creating a community asset," Pinewood Group said.

The group's corporate affairs director, Andrew M Smith OBE, said: "We're delighted Buckinghamshire Council has approved our plans for the expansion of Pinewood Studios and new nature reserve at Alderbourne Farm. This development will provide invaluable resources to the British film and TV sector, consolidate Pinewood's status as the UK's leading production site, deliver significant benefits to our local community and encourage new talent to join the industry."

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to drive economic growth and support the thriving creative industries. The plans will now be referred to the Secretary of State for agreement ahead of a final permission being issued."