Film studio plan’s failure ‘would disappoint sector’

Failure to deliver on plans for a flagship film studio in Scotland would be greatly disappointing to the sector, a Holyrood committee has been told.

MSPs heard frustration is growing over slow progress towards establishing the facility.

Development of the Pentland Studio just outside Edinburgh has been stalled by the planning process.

The proposal was “called in” by the Scottish Government after Midlothian Council failed to make a ruling on the application, which was originally submitted in 2014.

Ministers are yet to announce their verdict.

Appearing at the Culture Committee, John McCormick, chairman of the Screen Sector Leadership Group, said the studio was considered to be an “essential development” for the sector.

“There would be great disappointment if that didn’t come to pass,” he said.

“There is an expectation across the industry but it has got to meet the planning objectives and people are just waiting for the decision, and again it’s been delayed beyond the time they were expecting it.”

Mr McCormick said the leadership group, set up to improve links between creative industries and public bodies, had hoped a decision would have been made before it published its report in January.