By Lee Pfeiffer
Pinewood Studios, the legendary home base of the James Bond movies, is planning a massive expansion project that would virtually double the size of the studio. The plan has been in the works for years and has run into local opposition from groups that claim the expansion would devastate the countryside area the studio resides in on the outskirts of London. Because it is a relatively small country, England has always been sensitive about preserving its landscapes and historical heritage. Major construction projects are far more difficult to get approval for than they are in the USA. Pinewood is awaiting a key decision as to whether their plans will finally be approved. The studio argues that the expansion will be an economic boom to the country as more Hollywood studios and production companies will have inducements to film there. Click here to read The Hollywood Reporter's interview with Pinewood Shepperton CEO Ivan Dunleavy.