The original plans were rejected by the local council and central Government in January because they were “inappropriate in the Green Belt.”

The expansion project, known as the Pinewood Studios Development Framework, will double the existing studios by adding more than 1m sq ft of new facilities, including 12 large stages, workshops and production offices.

It will be delivered in three phases of construction over 15 years, staring early next year.

Phase one will see demolition of several existing buildings followed by construction of around 120,000 sq ft of stages, a similar amount of workshops and 160,000 sq ft of offices.

Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive of Pinewood Shepperton, said: “As a result of the green light from the Secretary of State, thousands of much needed new jobs will be created in this growing sector of the economy.

“We want to begin construction as soon as possible.  I’d like to thank colleagues both within and outside the industry, for the tremendous support they have given the project.”

An inspector ruled that “unique circumstances” justified the adverse impact caused by Pinewood adding an extra 100,000 square metres of studio space.

Pinewood’s plan will make it the biggest studio in the UK, able to host four film productions instead of two at any one time.

The new studios will include street scapes from New York, Venice and Amsterdam.