Plans have been approved to build a new film and TV studio complex near Edinburgh.

The Pentland Studios development is set to be built on a 106-acre site at Straiton, Midlothian.

In 2015, the local authority rejected plans for the project as planning officers were concerned the site was partially located on greenbelt land.

However, ministers have overturned the ruling after deciding the economic and cultural benefit of the project outweighed environmental concerns.

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In a statement, developer PSL Land said it hopes to deliver the studio by late 2018.

"PSL Land Ltd are very pleased with today's decision by Ministers to approve the grant of planning permission in principle for Scotland's world-class Film & TV studio complex, and will be moving forward immediately with the application for planning permission in detail for the Film Studio, Academy and Energy Centre sections of the development," the company said.

"Working together with Midlothian Council, PSL hope this next stage will be expedited accordingly, recovering the construction scheduling that will enable delivery of the key Studio operation by late 2018.

"It is anticipated that a detailed schedule to progress the planning application will be agreed with Midlothian Council in the next few weeks, producing a phased timeframe with the Studio, Academy and Energy Centre as the first buildings to be progressed to full planning consent."

(LM/CD)