Moray Council supports TV and film for regional economic boost

Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee has this week made it easier for filming to take place in the area to benefit from the economic benefit of screen tourism.

Council buildings and structures can now be used for abseiling or similar activities, for film and television purposes only. They can’t be used by other external organisations for those purposes.

However, elected members have agreed to provide an exception for the filming industry, subject to conditions.

A report to committee, quoting figures from Screen Scotland, said visitor expenditure for Scottish businesses as a result of screen tourism activities is £64.9 million a year.
Committee Chair, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: “Demand for filming on location, which makes use of sites around Moray, has increased, with a series of productions filmed on location in recent months. Many of us caught a glimpse of Covesea lighthouse in the last series of The Crown.

“The film and TV production sector supports jobs and livelihoods, including freelance crew and services that are integral to production such as hospitality and accommodation. It plays a major part in promoting the Moray region for economic and social development and attracting tourism and we should be doing what we can to boost this.”

A number of conditions apply, including the film company/corporate entity making the application to use council buildings or structures must instruct an independent survey indicating that a) the property is structurally safe and b) it will not be damaged by the proposed activity.

It’s also a requirement that the filming company/corporate entity pay a non-refundable fixed fee to the council covering administration costs incurred in undertaking checks of the survey report and other paperwork.