Major new studio planned for Scotland
A major new studio has been greenlit for Scotland with partial funding from the UK government.
Stirling Studios will be built on former MoD land at Forthside, Stirling; the land has been transferred to Stirling Council via the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – a £214 million partnership between Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, the University of Stirling and the UK and Scottish governments.
Part of the £19m grant secured by the council from the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) for the regeneration of Forthside will be allocated for the development.
Stirling Studios will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland; Stirling is well-placed between the thriving crew bases of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Stirling Studios will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland. Stirling Council chief executive Carol Beattie said: “In a previous role as Director of Creative Industries for Scottish Development International, I knew there was still an opening for more production space in Scotland.
"At that point, I spent time in London speaking to the British Film Commission and studio operators such as Pinewood, Three Mills and Warner Brothers to understand the specifications of a good site.
“When I saw the unique buildings and location at Forthside, I considered it to be a fantastic fit, which has since been confirmed through our close consultation with the industry, including Screen Scotland.”
l-r: Isabel Davis, executive director Screen Scotland; UK government minister for Scotland John Lamont; Stirling Council leader Cllr Chris Kane; Stirling Council chief executive Carol Beattie.
Rather than demolishing and clearing all of the existing buildings on the MoD land as previously intended, some of these will be retained and refurbished for the film and high-end TV campus.
The remainder of the land will be redeveloped and cleared in line within existing plans, including the buildings not suitable for reuse.
It is estimated there is currently 100,000 sq ft of studio space and 110,000 sq ft for production, logistics and office space at the site.
Isabel Davis, executive director of Screen Scotland, said: “The Stirling site’s location and ready potential for conversion into a studio are both exceptionally promising. Scotland has recently seen significant growth in productions looking to access its internationally recognised cast and crew, as well as its versatile natural and built environments.
“This new site will only add to Scotland’s considerable offering as a filming destination. Working with Stirling Council on this over the last few months, we have been very encouraged by the visionary approach that the team there have taken to get to this stage, including the opportunity to grow the local crew base.
Images, via Stirling Council: An aerial view of the former MoD land where Stirling Studios will be located; group shot, l-r: Isabel Davis, executive director Screen Scotland; UK government minister for Scotland John Lamont; Stirling Council leader Cllr Chris Kane; Stirling Council chief executive Carol Beattie.
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