The Scottish Government's deliberations over a plan to build a major film studio outside Edinburgh will not be hindered by the run up to the local government elections.

During a pre-election period, a "purdah" rule is put in place in which major policy or other announcements are not made.

It was feared by some in the film community that the government's decision to back, or not, the Pentland Studio plan, would be further delayed by the run up to the May 4 local council elections.

Initially, PSL Land Ltd made their planning application for the major studios, on land at Straiton, to Midlothian Council, before the decision was called in by ministers.

However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said the deliberations over the case would not be hindered by the local elections.

She 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 Reporters 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.

"There are many factors to consider that can affect timelines and it would be misleading to suggest an indicative date for decision."

The plan is opposed by the farmer, James Telfer, who currently lives and works on the land in question, and other local residents as well as Green Party MSPs.

She added: "The timing of the planning decision will not be affected by the local government pre-election period."

There are other plans to build a sizeable film studio in Scotland, including an extension of the Wardpark facilities in Cumbernauld and mooted proposition for land near Heriot Watt University, also on the outskirts of Edinburgh.