Highland Council Reviews Updated Sutherland Spaceport Plans with Sustainable Changes

Highlands Council have received amended plans for the Sutherland Spaceport to be constructed in the region. The suggested changes are mostly focused on reducing environmental impact.

This spaceport will be situated on the Moine Peninsula on the Highlands of Scotland where thesome construction work has already started in 2023. The spaceport is to contain a small launch pad and launch service facilities.

The Sutherland Spaceport Awaits the Council’s Approval

The planning phase for the Sutherland Spaceport kicked off in November 2020 after the Highland Council officially granted permission to commence planning.

In November 2022, Orbex, a United Kingdom-based aerospace company, was announced as the project’s site operator.

After taking up the role, Orbex and the North Planning Application Notice (PoAN) made some changes to the scheme for the Sutherland Spaceport project.

These changes were submitted to the Council on 2nd November 2023, with consultation sessions between Orbex and residents of local areas held on 5 December 2023 and 8 February 2024.

On 21 March 2024, the formal Planning Application drafted by Orbex and the North Planning Application Notice (PoAN) was issued to the Highland Council.

All amendments submitted to the Highland Council on the Sutherland Spaceport project

The amendments include adding a smaller launch pad, additional launch service facilities, and changes to the Sutherland Spaceport access roads.

By making changes to the access roads, construction activities will be able to avoid an area of deep peat.

This amendment will reduce the amount of peat to be excavated during construction from 24,046 cubic metres to 9,895 cubic metres.

The preservation of peat on the land is important, as the soil plays a vital role in absorbing CO2 to help reduce pollution.

Since the Sutherland Spaceport will be used for launching small satellites, it is important to have a reasonable amount of soil left after excavation.

Although initial construction on the Sutherland Spaceport started last year, this amendment will help reshape the project.

Highland Council will meet this week to decide on the amendments to aid the progress of the Sutherland Spaceport project.