Pinewood Studios is unveiling a huge £450 million expansion plan – which will include a tourist attraction and new film production facilities.

The world-famous studios in Iver Heath will launch Screen Hub UK, which will feature the ‘Pinewood Studio Experience’, a 350,000 square foot international visitor attraction and a training and skills hub.

The Screen Hub UK will be based on a 77-acre site to the south and immediately adjacent to their existing site – expanding their presence in the village once again.

Pinewood says the new hub will create around 3,500 new jobs, add £230 million a year into the economy and £125 million a year into the tourism industry.

There are also plans for a ‘green’ campus and a creative industries business growth hub on the site.

Pinewood Group Chairman Paul Golding said: “The government and Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership have recognised Pinewood Studios as a major economic asset to be enhanced with the creation of a screen growth hub for the UK.

“We are pleased to be able to respond with this scheme. We have been looking at a visitor experience for some time and feel that now is the right moment to bring it forward.

“The project will strengthen UK film and bring much needed jobs and spending. We hope our planning application will receive widespread support.”

A planning application is being prepared now, the studios said – and consultations with the community will start next week.