PLANS for a new residential-led development on the site of the JTC Furniture factory on Harrison Road at Camperdown in Dundee have been unveiled.
The proposals include affordable homes, local shops, and business units. If approved, the new housing development will financially support the relocation of JTC’s long-standing manufacturing facility – based in the former Timex factory – to Dunsinane Industrial Estate, developers said.
Founded in Dundee in 1986 by the Chalmers family, JTC Furniture specialises in contract furniture – with it providing tailored solutions for large-scale projects. The company’s expertise spans a wide variety of sectors, including social housing, student accommodation, build-to-rent , mixed-tenure developments, and market sale.
JTC designs and manufactures kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms that meet the specific needs of each unique development. Today, it supplies more than a quarter of the Scottish social housing market.
The firm currently operates two manufacturing facilities in Dundee: Camperdown Works, which houses the company headquarters, and Manhattan Works, located in the Stobswell area.
In April 2024, JTC was acquired by Woodland Kitchens, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer and supplier of kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and bespoke furniture solutions. A review of operations quickly identified that the existing Camperdown site was no longer fit for purpose and that the cost of redevelopment was not viable.
Several relocation options were considered, including moving operations to Woodland’s headquarters in Northern Ireland. However, the company was determined to retain its skilled Dundee workforce, and a decision was made to remain in the city. JTC currently employs around 200 staff, with plans to increase the workforce by 20% to approximately 240 in the coming years.
The relocation has been forward-funded, with revenue from the proposed Camperdown residential development required as part of the overall business plan. This move will secure the long-term future of skilled local jobs while also supporting Dundee’s wider supply chain.
The new factory will also reduce the environmental impact of production compared to the current ‘ageing and highly energy-intensive’ site, aligning with Woodland Furniture Group’s wider sustainability commitments.
A pre-application consultation process has now been launched for the proposed development, with two public consultation events scheduled at Dunsinane Industrial Estate from 2pm – 7pm on Tuesday 28 October and Tuesday 25 November. A Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) application is expected to be submitted in January 2026. This aims to establish the principle of development on the site.
A spokesperson from JTC Ltd, said, “Our proposals for much-needed new housing, including affordable homes, on our Camperdown site are a win-win for Dundee – helping to tackle the housing emergency while securing the future of our manufacturing operations in the city.
“The current factory is outdated and highly energy intensive, adding significantly to costs and making it increasingly difficult to compete. This move is essential for our success and long-term growth.
“While we explored relocating to Northern Ireland, our priority was to retain our skilled Dundee workforce. By forward-funding the new facility through the residential development, we can protect and grow local jobs, deliver a more sustainable operation, and ensure our base remains in the city.
“We encourage local residents to attend the consultation events, view the proposals, and share their feedback.”
