The operators of the Dounreay nuclear plant have applied to build a new facility to deal with intermediate level radioactive waste.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) said the proposed waste transfer facility at the Caithness site would increase storage capacity.

The planning application forms part of the massive �4.3bn decommissioning programme to be phased in over the next 60 years.

The facilty would be for intermediate level waste

It would create about 50 jobs during a two-year construction phase and a further five when it comes into operation.

The UKAEA said the �16m facility will enable the long-term management of liquid waste after it has been conditioned in cement.

It would also allow a small proportion of cemented waste to be returned to foreign customers including Germany, Spain, Belgium and Australia from 2008 under the terms of historical reprocessing contracts.

Energy Minister Brian Wilson said: "The delivery of the site restoration plan by the UKAEA is opening up a raft of opportunities for British industry to develop world class expertise in the decommissioning and environmental restoration of nuclear sites, with particular opportunities for local companies.

"I am determined that the Highland economy should get as much benefit as possible from the decommissioning process and this is another valuable project which will boost local jobs, both directly and indirectly."

'Key project'

Dounreay site director Peter Welsh said: "The proposed import/export facility is a key project in the site restoration plan because it will open a new and additional route for managing ILW (intermediate level waste)."

Under the scheme, liquid raffinate waste from historical reprocessing operations is set in cement inside stainless steel drums.

These are then placed in a store alongside solid intermediate level waste from other decommissioning work such as the dismantling of reactors.

The UKAEA said it is expected to take about 15 years to complete the cementation of the raffinate waste and convert it to 5,500 drums of solid ILW that is suitable for long term storage or disposal as solid intermediate level waste.