South Buckinghamshire District Council (SBDC) has rejected plans for a £200m development at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath over concerns that the scheme would result in the loss of green belt land.

Project Pinewood would have seen the creation of a purpose-built working and living community for the creative industries, as well as providing filmmakers and producers with iconic streetscapes - such as New York and Paris - without needing to travel around the world. The 44-acre (109-acre) development also included a multi-purpose community venue, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a cinema, a theatre and public open spaces, as well as a music production area.

However, SBDC planners said that the scheme would have a significant impact on the local environment and could also have affected the council's ability to halt any future development on green belt land. Jacquetta Lowen-Cooper, chair of the SBDC planning committee, said: "The council has a strong track record of defending the green belt against inappropriate development for the wider benefit of all those who live and work in the district.

"However, it is also important to stress that this decision should not be seen as anti-Pinewood. The council fully recognises the importance of Pinewood to the local and the wider economy and has been very supportive of the company over many years." In response, Andrew M Smith, group director of corporate affairs at Pinewood Studios, said: "This project is of national significance and of great benefit, not only to our community and region, but also the UK and its creative industries.

"We remain committed to the vision of this project and to developing and sustaining UK creative industries at Pinewood for the future. We will now review the details of SBDC's decision." Image: Streetscapes including Venice would have been created as part of the scheme