Following a review of the spaceport requirements by Orbex, the launch site operator for the spaceport, a number of changes require to be made to the scheme that was unanimously supported by the North Planning Applications Committee and granted planning permission in August 2020. As a result, a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) was submitted to The Council on 2 November 2023.

The changes are primarily within the same footprint as the existing scheme and their purpose is to further reduce any environmental impacts of the spaceport both during construction and operations.

Ahead of submitting a planning application for these changes, we held consultation sessions in order to capture the opinions of those with an interest in the spaceport, and particularly people based in the local area. During these sessions we shared information about the proposed changes and answered questions that people raised.

The sessions were held on the below dates in the Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue, and were publicised via the Community Liaison Group, in the Tongue and Melness Post Offices and the Kyle Centre, and via the local newspaper:

5 December 2023, 12 – 2pm and 5 – 8pm

8 February 2024, 12 – 2pm and 5 – 8pm (please note that original date of 18 January 2024 cancelled due to weather)

You can view information shared at the consultation sessions on 5 December 2023 and 8 February 2024 here.

The formal Planning Application associated with the PoAN was issued to The Highland Council on Thursday, 21 March 2024.

The Planning Application was discussed at the North Highland Planning Committee on 29 October 2024 and was granted.