TSL Contractors LTD is to lead the next stage of development at the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) at Dunstaffnage with the build of a new £8.1 million facility.
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) project will build on the success of the park’s Malin House, which was completed in 2012 and is now home to 15 companies and employing more than 70 people.
To be called Camas House, the new building will be two-storey, 1,500 square metre facility with 11 laboratories and office suites of varying sizes. Designs incorporate ‘challenging’ sustainability targets with an aspiration to be carbon neutral.
As well as construction, the contract includes completing all toilet, meeting room and kitchen areas, along with full fit-out of offices and labs on the first floor. Ground floor fit-out will be part of a subsequent contract. Groundworks were completed earlier this year and included road, access and parking improvements.
Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said, “Argyll’s rich marine resource has underpinned significant economic activity for generations. We’ve been developing the EMSP as a centre of collaboration in marine innovation and technology that taps into this natural advantage and stimulates growth in the marine science economy, not just for Argyll but across Scotland. As a world-class, multi-purpose facility set in a stunning natural environment, it has proved an ideal location for companies involved in marine science industries and research.
“It’s been great to see the success of Malin House and how this has helped companies to expand and attracted new ventures. We can expect more opportunities in skills and entrepreneurship, notably for young people, as well as enhanced confidence in Argyll as a business location. That’s what this next stage in the development is all about. It will build on the progress so far and help meet the increasing demand for these types of facilities, bringing new business and fresh talent into the area.
“I’m delighted we have reached this important milestone in the EMSP’s development and look forward to seeing the new building take shape.”
Andy Knight, MD of TSL Contractors Ltd, added, “On behalf of the whole Team at TSL, I am delighted that we have been successful in being awarded the contract for construction of this prestigious project for the expansion of facilities at the European Marine Science Park, Dunstaffnage.
“This result is due to the skill, dedication and efforts of a significant number of our people at TSL, and proves that we have made considerable progress, during the past few years.
“We are also extremely pleased, that HIE have seen fit to grant such a high profile project to the local SME business, which will ensure that local resources will be utilised as much as possible.”
Work on Camas House is expected to begin in the next few weeks with completion expected in late 2025, HIE said.
