iTransport has worked with Pinewood Group Limited since 2018, beginning with the redevelopment and expansion of Shepperton Studios to deliver an additional 90,000 sqm of studio production space. That scheme helped establish Shepperton as one of the largest film studios in the world and marked the start of an ongoing relationship supporting Pinewood Group’s wider estate and growth ambitions.
The work sits within a highly specialised planning and transport context. Film studios operate very differently from conventional commercial or industrial uses, with unique requirements around servicing, parking, staff movement, visitor access and specialist “unit base” facilities such as wardrobe, catering and actor trailers. The challenge was not only to support substantial floorspace growth, but to do so in a way that responded to local highway constraints, planning obligations and the practical needs of major occupiers such as Amazon and Netflix.
At both Shepperton and Pinewood, the client’s objective was to bring forward ambitious, high-profile projects with transport strategies that were proportionate, deliverable and aligned with local authority expectations. That included major access works, off-site mitigation, sustainable transport measures and, over time, the need to revisit previously agreed highway improvements in light of changing travel patterns and post-Covid network condition
iTransport has provided strategic transport and highways advice across a wide range of projects for Pinewood Group, supporting both major planning applications and post-permission work.
At Shepperton Studios, our role began with the outline planning application for the expansion of the site, including the design of a major new access from the south. Given the scale of growth proposed, we developed and tested a package of off-site highway improvements and worked closely with Surrey County Council to ensure these were proportionate, deliverable and supportive of active travel. A key part of the strategy was a bespoke Sustainable Transport Strategy, including dedicated bus connections to nearby rail stations.
Following the grant of planning permission, we continued to support reserved matters applications, helping ensure the site was designed to accommodate servicing, parking and the operational needs of modern studio occupiers. This included considering the specific requirements of Amazon and Netflix as major users of the campus.
Our role has since expanded across the wider Pinewood portfolio. At Pinewood itself, we have supported multiple projects including studio floorspace expansion, visitor attraction proposals, highway mitigation schemes and, most recently, a major data centre. We also revisited the need for certain off-site highway works where, post-Covid, traffic flows and studio trip generation were materially lower than previously assessed. Working with Surrey County Council, this allowed schemes to be reduced in scale and cost while improving outcomes for pedestrians and cyclists.
Our work has helped Pinewood Group secure and progress a series of high-profile developments across both Shepperton and Pinewood, supporting major studio expansion, associated infrastructure and related commercial uses.
At Shepperton, iTransport helped deliver the transport strategy for a major studio expansion that has transformed the site’s global significance. The agreed access strategy, off-site improvements and sustainable transport measures provided a robust basis for planning permission and ongoing site delivery.
Across the wider portfolio, our advice has supported planning permission for multiple schemes, including Screen Hub UK, alternative studio expansion proposals, the Fivepoints Roundabout mitigation scheme and a 55,000 sqm data centre. Our continued involvement has also allowed previously agreed highway works to be revisited and refined in response to changing conditions, helping reduce cost and scope while improving active travel outcomes.
Overall, iTransport’s long-term support has given Pinewood Group clear, commercially aware transport advice across a uniquely specialised estate, helping turn ambitious growth plans into deliverable, consented projects.
We provide the full range of specialist transport planning services needed to take schemes from early concept through to consent and delivery
Talk to us about your project
