Planning permission has been granted to develop a TV and film studio facility in North Lanarkshire.

Proposals include enhancing existing production facilities at the Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld.

Works involve building six sound stages, production offices, ancillary spaces and a back lot.

The facility is currently being used for the production of the first and second series of Sony's historical drama 'Outlander'.

Welcoming the decision, Terry Thomson, Chairman of Wardpark Studios, said: "This planning permission means we can move forward with the initial preparatory work to create new site access, car parking and building alternations.

"The entire complex is currently let to Sony for Outlander, so we're seeking their co-operation to start these works as soon as possible without disrupting their filming schedules.

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"We're committed to making this expansion happen. When the development is complete, we'll have added a further 30,000 square feet across two new 50 foot-high sound stages, bringing our total facility to 78,000 square feet across six sound stages.

"We still have work to do before we can fully embrace the expansion project. We need to finalise our business plan, confirm some commercial arrangements to ensure we can fund the development, and agree the potential package of public sector support."

David Smith, Director of Creative Industries at Scottish Enterprise, on behalf of the Film Studio Delivery Group, added: "Securing this planning permission is a further milestone for Wardpark Studios and their ambitious expansion plans.

"UK production spend continues to grow as a result of tax relief schemes, creating strong demand for studio space across the UK which Scotland can exploit through private sector developments such as Wardpark Studios.

"We and our Film Studio Delivery Group partners remain fully committed to working with the private sector to support additional screen infrastructure developments in Scotland. We remain keen to hear from any developers with projects they want to bring forward."

(LM/MH)