Scotland's film makers have called on the Scottish Government to give the green light to a major film studio plan, and not let the process descend into "travesty."
A statement from the Association of Film and TV Practitioners Scotland (AFPTS) said the government should approve the pending Pentlands Studios plan as soon as possible.
This weekend marks the anniversary of the government calling in the planning application for the privately-funded project, by PSL Land Ltd, which wants to build a major studio complex at Straiton, Midlothian, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
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As yet there has been no progress on the film studio, which appears to be the leading private sector plan in Scotland, with the the Scottish Government waiting on a report from an independent planning reporter.
The AFPTS, which represents more than 1700 producers, directors and technicians, said: "Initially projected for a decision in February, then April 2016, the
appeal process has been affected time-wise by both the national election and Brexit vote in June.
"AFTPS sincerely hope Scottish Ministers will close business for 2016 with a positive decision in support of Scotland’s screen industries and the desperate need for an international filming facility, which will put Scotland on a par with other countries across the globe.
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"To allow this planning process to exceed a 12- month period would be a travesty, both endangering the future of the project’s viability and making a mockery of the cited ‘national importance’ which this facility and the industries involved are correctly attributed."
It adds that there does not seem to have been any further development of the Ward Park studios in Cumbernauld, to which Scottish Enterprise had given backing.
The statement adds: "The international market demand and native screen industries are desperate for a decision on the planning application for Pentland Studios – please support our industry and celebrate 2017 as the dawn of a new era in film and television for Scotland."
Terry Thomson, the chairman of Wardpark Studios Limited, where the popular Outlander TV series is shot, said: “We are on track to start the site preparatory work early in the near year.
"This preparatory work is critical as it creates new site access, car parking and building alterations that need to be in place before we can start the studio expansion build."
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A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Ministers are awaiting the report from the independent planning reporter on the proposal for a mixed-use development near Straiton which includes a film studio.
"We will publish their decision in due course once the report has been received and fully considered."
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