THE COMPANY behind Perthshire’s richest-ever planning application are to aim for success in a single take after withdrawing their bid to build a £250 million film studio.

Developers Quillco 100 Ltd withdrew from Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department their controversial plans for “Hollywood in Perthshire,” the huge studio, housing and leisure development at Aberuthven.

However, locals campaigning against the development—which will forever change the character of the village, they insist—should keep the champagne on ice, as it is certain to reappear.

The company now intends to seek full planning consent “within the next few months,” instead of the in outline (in principle) consent their latest application would have involved.

Their aim is to submit detailed amended plans “in tandem with major development partners and film studio operators for the site,” a spokeswoman said yesterday.

She added, “Withdrawing outline proposals at this stage will allow comments, suggestions and concerns raised during the consultation phase to be addressed.

“As detailed plans and reports are finalised, public consultation will continue within the Strathearn and wider area.”

The consultation will include a team of liaison officers hosting public meetings, plus informal public consultation days.

The company wants “to establish a more informative and inclusive finalised planning application in the near future.”

Their comments continued, “Those backing the vision of a film studio-led residential and leisure development at Aberuthven stress they remain 100% committed to delivering the project.

“All project partners look forward to working with and alongside all concerned parties over the coming weeks and months to deliver this new and exciting project for Scotland.”

However, the campaign against the film studio refuses to fade away, with local group Aberuthven Community Threatened (ACT) maintaining their opposition.

Spokeswoman Maureen Kennedy said this week much of the land involved had been affected by flooding.

She said, “The flooding is phenomenal and, as the developer claimed he was building one of the largest underwater tanks for filming in the world as part of his project, a headline such as, ‘Waterworld the movie 2’ or similar could be appropriate.

“He won’t need an underwater tank if this goes ahead!

“The folks of Aberuthven’s 124 houses are still frantically opposing this development and to build on a flood plain such as this would be stupid.”