Scottish film studio in turmoil after farmer wins bitter legal battle
Controversial plans to create Scotland’s first purpose-built film studio on the outskirts of Edinburgh have been thrown into turmoil after a farmer won a legal battle to remain on land his family has occupied for more than 100 years.
Jim Telfer was facing eviction from land at Damhead in Midlothian, which was earmarked for the Pentland Studios project after a century of use by his family.
But the Scottish Land Court has ruled the family should not be removed from their 56 acres against their will.
The ruling calls into question the entire £250 million studio development, which was given final approval by the Scottish Government in December last year after an inquiry.
A final appeal to the Court of Session is already under consideration by a landowner hoping to sell the site for the proposed studio complex, which was predicted to create 1,600 jobs.
Pentland Studios Limited, which spent four years pursuing the scheme, said it was “respectful, but disappointed” at the ruling. Director Jim O’donnell said the company was “currently considering options” over its plans.
A spokesman for the Association of Film and Television Practitioners in Scotland said: “A succession of industry professionals gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament recently that a lack of studio space was the main reason for Scotland under-achieving in the screen sector. Scotland is now the worst performer in any of the UK nation and regions.
“It is obvious from the ruling that the court did not fully appreciate the financial significance of this studio for the film and TV industry in Scotland and the numerous crew members who work in it.”
The Scottish Greens, who have supported the Telfers, said it was “incumbent” on the film industry and the government to come up with a new site for a studio “where development would be lawful”.
Last year the Telfers insisted they had no intention of leaving, despite several offers by landowner Nick Gibsone, who had agreed to sell his 100-acre estate for the studio.
Mr Gibsone said his family was “devastated” by the ruling.
He said: “We’re disappointed not only for ourselves and the developers, but for Midlothian and Scotland, with the loss of hundreds of potential jobs and the boost to the economy the film studio could deliver.
“The decision is complex and took some time to be produced. We must now consider all options, including appealing to the Court of Session.”
The ruling stated: “This estate does not need a film studio nor is there a community on the estate which would benefit from one. The fact that one can hardly speak of a community when there is only one family living on the estate does not mean that its interests are to be overlooked.”