A deal to build a major film studio plan in the central belt of Scotland could be done in the next eight weeks, Scottish Enterprise revealed last night.

The new project, which would receive public money from Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, is currently being analysed by the economic development body.

The plan, precise details of which are being withheld for commercial reasons, is not the £140m Pentlands Studio privately funded project which is seeking planning permission from Midlothian Council.

The new prospect for a major film studio, a facility which has long been sought after by Scotland's film industry, was revealed by Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary, at a inquiry into the screen industry at the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Speaking before the Economy committee of the Scottish Parliament, Fiona Hyslop said she was confident a studio would be built in the near future.

Ms Hyslop said the new plan would provide the highest sound stage of any location in the UK.

She added: "I am not going to give you a time-scale. I know it is frustrating.

"I told you I am determined to deliver, but government can't deliver something that is reliant on the private sector."

The government cannot use money to build a public sector studio space, she added, stating that such a move would breach European state aid rules.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said discussion about a film studio goes back to the 1940s, and asks whether the Scottish Government, which has established a Film Studio Delivery Group, could successfully back a studio plan.

She said it was reasonable to expect a plan to be in place before the end of this parliament, but added that "not all the cards are in my hand".

Scottish Enterprise confirmed a new bid from a private sector developer to provide a film studio had been received.

David Smith, director of Scottish Enterprise Technology, Engineering and Creative Industries, said: "We are pleased to have received this proposal, especially as our initial assessment suggests that it exceeds the specification laid out in the original Development Brief.

"This means that if successful Scotland would have one of the highest soundstages in the UK and crucially would represent good value to the public purse.

"We are working towards completing due diligence and agreeing heads of terms with the developer within the next 8 weeks, at which point we will provide a further update.

"Achieving this date is dependent on an acceptable deal being reached with the developer."

An EKOS Feasibility Study strongly suggested that any studio development should be in the Central Belt with good transport links and in good proximity to supply chain companies and the skills base.

Scottish Enterprise said that "on the new proposal received, suggests that it exceeds the specification laid out in the original Development Brief" in this regard.