THE firm behind a plan to build a major Scottish international film studio have expressed their frustration at a “discouraging” lack of support from local authorities.
Guardhouse Productions and its backers want to build a large facility, at a cost of about £55million, on the grounds of Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.
The company would then try and bring a string of big-budget Hollywood film productions to Scotland.
The studio, designed by Scottish architects Reiach and Hall, would comprise 10 buildings on 24 acres of land, with six sound stages of 50,000 square feet.
Guardhouse Productions, based in Nevada in the US, say they have “huge” Hollywood backing for the plans.
But they claim to have become frustrated at the lack of support from the Film Studio Delivery Group, the body comprising Scottish Enterprise, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government which is tasked with backing a major film studio for Scotland.
Guardhouse Productions, which has a background in documentary film making, would like official endorsement from the delivery group to proceed with their plans, but have been left frustrated.
Guardhouse has met with the Delivery Group in August for a presentation, as well as officials from Edinburgh City Council.
They want to build at Heriot-Watt University Research Park facilities at Research Avenue North, with sound stages accompanied by production and post-production facilities.
However, they fear that without backing they could be caught in a planning “quagmire” and are now to appeal directly to Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary.
A Guardhouse source said: “It is very discouraging. We have been literally begging them for months now to let us bring in this high 8-figure inward investment, to no avail.
“All we are asking for is their official endorsement – at some point in time, seeing as this is a business venture, we will have to take our investment and go to another European country that will intake our money.”
Allan McQuade, director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise confirmed it had met with Guardhouse Productions.
He added: “It was a very positive and productive meeting and we’re continuing to discuss their proposal to develop their business in Scotland.”
Surya Iacono, president of Guardhouse, has not yet submitted formal planning permission, said they suspect that another film studio plan, the Pentlands Plan at Straiton has absorbed official attention.
A Guardhouse soruce said formal approval by the Studio Group is pivotal as they do not want to be “a year or two in planning because of lack of government approval – not when the site is itself ready specific to our needs and already commercially zoned.”
It added: “Our group’s proposal currently on the table meets or exceeds Scotland’s directives for film studios, including the size and scope, the educational pieces and by bringing in a direct line to Hollywood.
Heriot-Watt University declined to comment.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the interest from Guardhouse Productions.”
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