First Minister Hails "Positive" Progress on Cumbernauld Film Studio
Plans for a permanent film studio in North Lanarkshire are “progressing well” and it should be operational by the end of 2017, the First Minister has said.
Plans for a permanent film studio in North Lanarkshire are “progressing well” and it should be operational by the end of 2017, the First Minister has said.
A planning application for a major expansion at the Wardpark Studios facility in Cumbernauld - where production of Sony's hit show Outlander takes place – was submitted to the local authority last week.
The proposals, which have already been the subject of detailed negotiations involving ministers, business and arts bodies, could see 30,000sq ft of purpose-built studio space constructed at the site.
Nicola Sturgeon described the progress as “very positive” as she filled in MSPs about the timescale for delivery of a Scottish studio.
The SNP leader addressed the Holyrood chamber in response to a question from Conservative Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who spoke of film industry “dismay” at the lack of a “long-awaited” studio.
Speaking at First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government with Scottish Enterprise and Creative Scotland are firmly committed to supporting the growth of the screen sector in Scotland and this is underlined by the record £24.1 million awarded to support the sector in 2014/15 and the extra £4.75 million we announced last year across three new funds.
“I'm pleased to say that proposals for a permanent film studio in Cumbernauld by Wardpark Studios Ltd are now progressing well.
“A planning application for extensive development of facilities was submitted to North Lanarkshire Council on the 11th of March and we hope and expect that the new studio will be operational no later than the end of 2017.”
Responding, Mr Fraser said “the film industry in Scotland has made very clear its dismay at the non-delivery of a long-awaited film studio”.
He said: “Last week, the Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop told us the Scottish Government would be supporting an extension to the Wardpark facility in Cumbernauld by 30,000 square feet, but we don't know when or indeed if that will actually be delivered.
“In the meantime the Scottish Government is sitting on a planning application for a 230,000 square foot facility at Straiton.
“So what confidence can we have from the Scottish Government that something will actually and eventually be delivered that meets the industry's needs?''
Ms Sturgeon retorted: “It is certainly true that Murdo Fraser didn't know when it would be delivered before I answered his first question, when he should know now - no later than the end of 2017. Everybody else is hearing me today aren't they?”
She did not comment on the Pentland Studio proposal for Straiton, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which is subject to a planning application.
But the First Minister added: “We think the progress around Cumbernauld is very, very, very positive progress and I hope we continue to see that move forward so that we do have a fully operational film studio - let me say this again - no later than the end of 2017.”
Earlier this month, Ms Hyslop told Holyrood's Economy Committee that ministers could provide up to £4 million to help with the Cumbernauld project – including £1.5 million in grant funding and up to £2.5 million of loan cash.