Farmer faces eviction under plans for £140m film studio
Tenant fears losing land his family have looked after for over a century
A FARMER fears his family could be evicted from their holding to make way for a private film studio.
Jim Telfer’s grandfather first began working the 60-acre plot at Damhead, Midlothian, in 1915, but he faces farming different land to make way for the development.
Nick Gibsone, who owns the land, said he has acted “in good faith” with Mr Telfer over his farmhouse and offered different land.
However, Mr Telfer believes he should not have to make way for the privately backed £140 million Pentland Film Studio.
Midlothian Council and some members of the local community have rejected the planning proposal, and the decision was called in for review by the Scottish Government.
An online petition against the studio plan set up by some community members has attracted thousands of signatures.
And the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has raised concerns too.
Angus McCall, STFA director, said: “Local residents are fighting to prevent the imposition of what appears to be a substantial development, including a film studio and a gas, chip and pellet-fired power station, on prime agricultural land against the will of the farmer, the local community at Damhead, and Midlothian Council.
“There would appear to be a number of more suitable sites for a film studio, such as Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, and questions have to be asked if this development is more about an industrial commercial venture rather than a much-needed film studio.
“This situation also highlights the vulnerability of tenant farmers, who are powerless to resist a notice to quit if planning permission is granted over the whole holding.
“Small landholding tenants such as Mr Telfer have even less protection against aggressive development and are even more at risk.”
However, Mr Gibsone said “a number of offers” have been made to Mr Telfer in an attempt to resolve the situation.
He added: “These offers include him and his wife remaining in the farmhouse and also having land to farm should they wish. We have also offered a substantial financial package that could be increased should they choose to leave.
“There is no question of them being forced to leave their home.
“There are a number of offers on the table and also an offer of independent mediation.”
Plans for the Pentland Film Studio, proposed by PSL Land Ltd, include several sound stages for film and television, as well as a hotel and other accommodation. More than 200 film makers have urged the Scottish Government to support the proposals.
In a letter to ministers, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Association of Film and Television Practitioners Scotland claimed “the Scottish public sector is failing its screen sector”.
It added: “Every week there is a good news story from other parts of the UK: New studios, more production activity, more deals being struck, and increased spend figures and employment as production activity remains at a record high.
“Meanwhile, the industry in Scotland falls even further behind.”
Last week, it emerged another studio plan is being mooted for Edinburgh, with Guardhouse Productions leading a bid to build a major studio in the Riccarton area on land owned by Heriot Watt University.
‘‘ Questions have to be asked if this development is more about an industrial commercial venture rather than a much-needed film studio