Plans by an international engineering firm to transform the old Peterhead prison into a training college and museum have taken another step forward.
Score International bought the Victorian jail after the new £140m HMP Grampian facility was opened earlier this year.
The Peterhead-based offshore engineering firm – based less than a mile from the facility once dubbed Scotland’s “hate factory” – is eager to use the now empty halls to train new apprentices.
The company wants to create up to 50 jobs over the next three years by using the site to train apprentices.
Now Score has received the backing of another leading Peterhead organisation.
In a letter to council planners, Peterhead Port Authority chief executive John Wallace says: “We would encourage the planning committee to grant this application for many reasons not least the visitor attraction aspect will bring added value to the town and business community.”
The port authority’s support comes after Score submitted a updated planning application to change to use of the site on Tuesday.
The new designs show plans to add 20 new parking spaces to the site as well as a new road from the former prison directly to the harbour area.
The new training college is intended to be visitor-friendly, and will include a museum detailing the history of the controversial prison as well as a new coastal footpath.
At the time of the sale, deputy managing director Conrad Ritchie said the firm intended to provide the “best value for the town” by boosting the prospects of young people.