Overview

Thurso


Scotland, UK

Project type: Community Planning
Location: Scotland, UK
Client: The Highland Council, Scottish Government
Stage: Completed
Programme: 2011–2013

The Highland town of Thurso, the most northerly town on the Scottish mainland, is situated overlooking the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands.

Despite having many assets, including a medieval core, a world-class surf beach, a railway station, a harbour and fine public and civic buildings, Thurso faces a number of challenges around its economic future related to the decommissioning of Dounreay nuclear power plant.

The Highland Council wants to enhance Thurso’s role as a major economic, cultural and service town for the wider Caithness and North Sutherland area. A team led by JTP was appointed to run a Charrette process to engage the local community and produce a Vision for the future of the town to inform the Council’s Local Development Plan. The Thurso Charrette was sponsored by the Scottish Government as part of its Charrette Mainstreaming Programme.

Project Delivery

  • A multi-day Charrette beginning with two public workshop days after which the team analysed and summarised the outcomes and drew up an illustrated Vision, which was reported back to the community on the final day of the Charrette.
  • The Charrette engaged stakeholders and all sectors of the community to identify local concerns and aspirations for the town’s future development.
  • Proposals to ensure the future vibrancy of the town centre, including the regeneration of the riverside, the enhancement of Thurso and its rural hinterland as a visitor destination and the western expansion of the town, including space for employment uses related to the growth of Scrabster harbour.
  • Enthusiasm for continued community involvement and for greater empowerment in the decision-making process to be carried forward with the formation of a local town team to work alongside the Council in the preparation of the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan.
Project type: Community Planning
Location: Scotland, UK
Client: The Highland Council, Scottish Government
Stage: Completed
Programme: 2011–2013
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Project Team
Charles Campion
Charles Campion
Partner
Tags
Charrette, Tourism
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