Shawfield suggested as potential site for Scottish film studio
An old industrial estate in Rutherglen was suggested as a potential site for the highly anticipated Scottish film studio it has emerged.
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed this week that the newly-remediated sites at the Clyde Gateway National Business District in Shawfield were named as a possible home for the studio.
But the Scottish Government says it has not been approached by private developers keen to build the studio - which has been in planning since 2013 - on the site.
South Lanarkshire Council meanwhile say Rutherglen is perfectly positioned to tap into the creative industries in Glasgow, while any bid to attract film makers to Rutherglen would see tens of millions of pounds spent in the local community.
Jim McCaffer, head of regeneration services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Scottish Enterprise, together with Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, commissioned an independent study to look at the feasibility of a Scottish Film studio at the end of 2013.
“Whilst South Lanarkshire Council was not approached formally, the opportunities presented by a large council- owned development site at Langlands West in East Kilbride and newly- remediated sites at the Clyde Gateway National Business District in Shawfield, were highlighted as potentially being suitable for this type of investment.
“The council considers both sites to be development ready, extremely well located and connected to key arterial road routes, and with ready access to skilled labour in this particular field of work.
“However, our understanding is that neither site made it through the formal evaluation process.”
But a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government told the Reformer no formal discussion had taken place between the Scottish Government and those interested in developing the Rutherglen site.
She said: “The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) is committed to working with the private sector, to deliver enhanced film studio facilities in Scotland, within EU State Aid rules.
“We have not been approached about any private sector proposals for sites in South Lanarkshire but we are open to receiving details from potential investors, on this site and any others.
“A public- private proposal with the potential to meet our aspiration is currently at a critical stage of consideration. We appreciate the sector has been patient about this work, and can assure all that the FSDG is continuing to work incredibly hard, in complex and challenging territory, to deliver a positive outcome that satisfies EU regulations and the requirements of all relevant public and private stakeholders.”
The update on the studio comes as Rutherglen councillor Robert Brown says the Scottish public is missing out on huge economic growth as film makers continue to flock to Britain to make movies.
Mr Brown said: “The announcement last week of a second film studio for Northern Ireland, and the existence of a successful film studio in Wales show up how dilatory SNP ministers have been on the issue of a Scottish film studio.”