Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider SAT 26TH JUL 2025    9:34:23 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

North Eyesore Gets Major Facelift

15th September 2001

A north industrial estate which has lain derelict for years is set for a major overhaul and clean-up.

The £341,000 investment is being made to the site at Janetstown on the outskirts of Thurso in a joint collaboration between Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and local firm JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd.
JGC - a well established local company which has traded in the local area since it was established in 1972 will also build a test and trial facility on the estate worth a further £150,000.

The new facility will accommodate work relating to an 'Alliance' contract awarded by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) which relates to decommissioning work at Dounreay. JGC won the contract by joining forces with other contractors from further afield to deal with the safe disposal of residual liquid metal which was used to cool the reactor.

It is hoped that further decommissioning work at Dounreay - estimated to be worth in the region of £4 billion over the next 30-40 years will help attract additional investment to the area - and with the clearance of the old industrial estate at Janetstown, this has made way for site availability for other potential businesses to use.

Carroll Buxton, acting chief executive of CASE said: "Bringing this site back into economic use provides an attractive location for businesses seeking to take advantage of decommissioning contracts at Dounreay. We are delighted the first company to take advantage of this move is one with deep roots in the area.

"This initiative also improves and makes safe an area of derelict land which had become a real eyesore. The Highland Council will also provide street lighting which will enhance the area even further - especially for golfers who use the road beside the site for access to Thurso Golf Club."

The environmental renewal work being carried out at the site includes:
removal and safe disposal of asbestos sheeting and surface debris, and removal of concrete bases;
general excavation of the site and hardcoring;
construction of roads, installation of kerbs and building an attractive front entrance;
installation and overhaul of existing services including electricity, drainage and telecommunications;
renovation of the exterior of one existing industrial unit for use as an office block.

These works will be carried out over a two year period, although phase one of the test facility will be constructed by JGC immediately in order that the contract won from UKAEA can begin without delay.

Director of JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd John Campbell said: "We are delighted that the next phase of our continuous development is in the north of Scotland. Our move into decommissioning work is a fantastic challenge for us and we look forward to building relationships now and in the future with our partners locally and further afield.

"Our company can boast an excellent track record of traditional engineering work, but the move into decommissioning demonstrates our adaptability and skill at the high-tech end of the engineering spectrum as well."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

HIE holding drop-ins for Wick Business Park expansion plansThumbnail for article : HIE holding drop-ins for Wick Business Park expansion plans
People in the Wick area of Caithness are being invited to share their views on proposals to expand Wick Business Park.   Following the successful development of phase one, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is planning a second phase of development on land next to the existing business park.  
Salmon farm company to convert waste to useable product
A project to recycle waste at an aquaculture hatchery in Wester Ross has secured up to £630,290 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Bakkafrost Scotland limited is leading the project, which has a total investment value of more than £2.5m.  
Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park
Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year.   ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.  
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland teamThumbnail for article : New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  
Applications open for the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply to the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme.   The initiative is designed to empower rural business owners and senior leaders across Scotland with the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to drive innovation and growth in their communities.  
Kyoto Fusioneering and Astral Systems join Culham fusion hubThumbnail for article : Kyoto Fusioneering and Astral Systems join Culham fusion hub
UKAEA's Culham Campus welcomes Kyoto Fusioneering and Astral Systems as its latest tenants.   Two pioneering companies, Kyoto Fusioneering and Astral Systems, have joined the growing cluster of fusion technology and AI organisations at United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) Culham Campus.  
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands EnterpriseThumbnail for article : Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Applications are currently being invited through the government's public appointments website with a closing date of 7 July 2025.  
Renewable energy training centre officially opened in InvernessThumbnail for article : Renewable energy training centre officially opened in Inverness
Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has officially opened Aurora's pioneering Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness - the only facility of its kind serving the Highlands.   The £1.2m training centre has already demonstrated its importance to Scotland's net-zero ambitions, training to more than 1,000 people in its first year and gearing up to train more than 2,000 workers annually who will be central to the country's renewable energy future.  
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port
A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland's most strategically important ports.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port in the west Highlands to enhance its capacity and capabilities, with an expanded dry dock and land reclamation enabling the manufacture of floating offshore wind foundations.  
Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansionThumbnail for article : Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansion
A commercial diver training company in Argyll is exploring the potential to expand the business to include closed bell diver training.   Dunoon based Professional Diving Academy (PDA) has secured £5,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help cover associated market assessment consultancy costs.