10/03/2016 - Private investor expected to submit planning application shortly

Plans for a film and television studio in Scotland are going ahead. Scotland Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has revealed that a private investor is expected to submit a planning application to significantly enhance existing production facilities at Wardpark Studios to create a television and film studio complete with six sound stages, production offices, ancillary spaces and a back lot. Currently comprising 48,000 square feet across four sound stages, negotiations are on between Wardpark and the Film Studio Delivery Group, comprising the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Creative Scotland, to expand the facilities to an additional 30,000 square feet across two new 50 foot-high sound stages.

Discussions are also ongoing with private sector investors for other studio sites in Scotland. Three new funds totalling £4.75 million were introduced in 2015, building on the £24.1 million of public funds awarded to support the Scottish screen sector in 2014/15. Creative Scotland has made its first conditional offers from the £1.75m Production Growth Fund to support two productions to film in Scotland. 

Hyslop said, “Wardpark Studios Limited’s decision to seek planning consent for new studio facilities in Cumbernauld marks an important milestone in our work to strengthen the Scottish screen sector. We’re seeing significantly increased activity in our screen sector. Film and TV producers spent an unprecedented £45.8 million shooting on location in Scotland in 2014. This record total, an increase of almost £12 million compared with 2013, demonstrates a fast growing appetite for major productions to base themselves in Scotland.”