Highland Council has approved updated plans for the Sutherland Spaceport, a project led by Forres-based company Orbex, paving the way for the UK mainland’s first vertical launch facility.
The decision comes despite objections from some local residents and Scotland’s wealthiest individual, Anders Povlsen.
The approved plans include repositioning the launch site on the Moine Peninsula and relocating communication antennas to the summit of Ben Tongue. These changes are part of Orbex’s efforts to address environmental concerns, with a nearly 60% reduction in peat excavations and the installation of bridges over waterways to facilitate “mammal migration paths”
The spaceport is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the Melness/Tongue area, which has been struggling with depopulation and limited access to services. According to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the project could generate around 250 jobs in the region, including 40 on-site positions.
Orbex itself plans to create up to 40 full-time equivalent jobs in various roles, from technical positions to administration and marketing.
The total economic impact is projected to be substantial, with HIE estimating that the spaceport has the potential to generate almost £1 billion in gross value added (GVA) for the Highlands and Islands economy over the next 30 years.
Local Support and Opposition Many local leaders and business representatives have voiced their support for the project.
Dorothy Pritchard, chair of Melness Crofters Estate (MCE), said: “We at MCE have a vision of the potential benefits the spaceport, over time, could bring to the Melness/Tongue area which has suffered greatly from the negative effects of an ageing demographic and depopulation.”
Trudy Morris, chief executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, echoed this sentiment, saying: “The Melness/Tongue area has been identified as a fragile area as a consequence of a number of factors such as depopulation and poor access to a range of services. The spaceport development is designed to help address these through the creation of new job opportunities and the delivery of community benefits.”
However, some local homeowners have raised concerns about the planned access track to Ben Tongue and the splitting of the spaceport into multiple sites. Additionally, Anders Povlsen’s company, Wildland Ltd, objected to the proposals, citing potential night disturbances.
Orbex intends to conduct up to 12 launches per year from the Sutherland Spaceport, carrying small satellites into low Earth orbit. Local residents are hopeful that the spaceport will attract year-round tourism, with plans for viewing areas to accommodate visitors eager to witness the launches.
North Planning Committee chair Drew Millar stressed the requirement for Orbex to continue with their community liaison network and moved to approve the plans.
The community liaison group gives locals a direct line of communication with the company.
In response to the planning result, an Orbex spokesperson said it “welcomes the decision” by councillors.
As construction continues and the project moves forward, Orbex and local authorities will need to balance the economic opportunities with environmental concerns and community interests. The approval of these updated plans marks a significant step towards establishing Scotland as a key player in the UK’s growing space sector.
