The Scottish Government is under growing pressure to make a decision on a multi-million-pound film studio plan which could see more Hollywood-style productions shot in Perthshire.
Developers behind the highly anticipated Pentland project, which was first mooted nearly a decade ago, say Wednesday marks an unofficial deadline for determination, three months after a finalised report was sent to ministers.
Former Warner Brothers development manager Jim O’Donnell, who is spearheading the £140 million six-stage complex, 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 plans were left in limbo after Midlothian Council failed to make a decision.
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 has written to government ministers, asking for a time frame to be set and pointing out that the proposal was first tabled in September 2014.
The letter states: “While appreciative that the nature of this proposal… requires detailed consideration of the merits of the development, the appellant is concerned there are no statutory timescales, or indeed a formal determination date, in which Ministers will be obliged to have issued their decision.
“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 continues: “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 eamarked 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.
