Pinewood Studios' greenbelt expansion plans rejected again The local council first rejected its expansion effort in 2009 amid fierce local opposition to building on greenbelt land. That decision was backed by a government inquiry last year. It said proposals to include more than 1,000 new homes as part of film sets on the 100-acre site, adjacent to the existing studios at Iver Heath, were "inappropriate in the green belt." The housing scheme was dropped in the resubmitted proposals, which attracted a third fewer letters of objection. Lord Grade insisted the revised blueprints were "clearly in line with government policy." He dismissed protests that the land should be protected. "We're talking about blighted grazingland on the edge of the M25," he said. It's not exactly leafy Bucks. Councillors in favour of the plans argued on Wednesday Pinewood should be given special permission to develop greenbelt and the government was likely to favour the revised scheme. Opponents however insisted it would "open the doors to many more spurious claims" on Buckinghamshire greenbelt.