Holyrood urged to take action on studio plan

MOVIES: Developers waiting for decision on multi-million-pound studio in Perthshire

The Scottish Government is under pressure to make a decision on a multimillion-pound film studio plan that could lead to more Hollywood-style productions shot in Perthshire.

Developers behind the Pentland project say tomorrow marks an unofficial deadline for determination, three months after a finalised report was sent to ministers.

Former Warner Brothers development manager Jim O’Donnell is in talks with the owners of the Abercairney Estate, near Crieff, about using its lochs, woodland, mansion house and walled garden for outdoor shoots.

The case was then taken to the Scottish Government’s planning and appeals division, which submitted its report to officials in December.

Now developers, PLS Land, have written to government ministers.

The letter states: “The proposed development will deliver the first purpose-built film studio in Scotland, which has been recognised by the Association of Film and Television Producers Scotland as being integral to the future of the film industry of Scotland.”

The project spokesman continued: “Through the delivery of this studio, a Film Academy will emerge with associated student accommodation to educate the next generation of the film industry within Scotland, thus enhancing the country’s reputation as being at the forefront of the industry worldwide.”

PSL Land said it would be grateful if ministers could “provide an indicative time frame for the determination of the ongoing appeal.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is considering a planning application and every effort is being made to issue the decision as soon as possible.

“Government officials only received the reporter’s submission on the Pentland’s proposal at the end of December.

“This is a highly complex planning application for a mixed-use development of which a film studio is only one part, and ministers are currently giving full and proper consideration to it.”

He added: “There are many factors to consider that can affect timelines and it would be misleading to suggest an indicative date for decision.”

The main six-stage studio is earmarked for land at Straiton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The plan has been backed by industry professionals, including location scout David Taylor who was instrumental in transforming Glasgow city centre for Brad Pitt zombie epic World War Z.

He said every day that goes by without a decision, Scotland is falling behind the rest of the big screen sector.