Pinewood studios has applied for planning permission to build new sets on 100 acres of greenbelt land, which will be sold for occupation. The Times, Daily Telegraph.

It wants to sell the authentically recreated buildings as up to 2,250 homes. Long leases would be sold to those who have always wanted to live in a Venetian piazza, next to a curtain¬wall castle or on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, but still need access to the M25 motorway.

Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton, said he envisaged production, special effects and numerous other types of creative companies being attracted to the development.

‘This is a project of national importance. We see it as a magnet for the UK’s creative industries as Canary Wharf is for financial services,’ he said. He would not put a price on the project, but said the company would be working with financial institutions if the project received planning permission.