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PROPOSAL OF APPLICATION NOTICE
Changes to the Spaceport Scheme
Sutherland Spaceport on land 2600m sw of dunbuie, talmine, tongue & summit of ben tongue (adjacent to existing telecommunications mast)
Following a review of the spaceport requirements we have made the decision to request a number of changes to the spaceport scheme that was granted planning permission in June 2020. As a result, we submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) to the Highland Council on 2 November 2023.
The Proposal of Application Notice is not a planning application but a notice to the Council advising that we intend to submit an application for a major development, and how we plan to engage with the community about the proposal before doing that. The Council will have 21 days from the date of our submission in which to confirm that they are happy with our consultation arrangements, and we can submit a planning application 12 weeks following the submission of the Proposal of Application Notice. The below information outlines the proposed changes and benefits relating to the Proposal of Application Notice.
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. The proposed changes are as follows:
- Reduction in the size of the Launch Pad area and minor amendments to the layout of that
- Reduction in the area of access track that connects the Launch Pad to other parts of the spaceport
- Reduction in both the footprint and height of the Launch Site Integration Facility (LSIF) and associated yard
- Relocation of the Antenna Park to out with the main spaceport site, adjacent to existing telecommunications infrastructure on Ben Tongue
- Realignment of the access track from the A838 to the LSIF
Specific benefits as a result of the changes include:
- Reduction in peat disturbance as a result of a smaller building footprint
- A lower impact on the GWDTE (ground water dependent terrestrial ecosystem) by rerouting the access track to avoid deeper areas of peat
- Reduced visual impact by reducing the footprint and height of the built development
- Less disturbance to the watercourse crossings
- An increase in the width of mammal migration paths beneath the proposed water crossings
- Shorter construction period
- Fewer vehicle movements during the construction period
Ahead of submitting a planning application for these changes, we will hold 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 will share information about the proposed changes and answer questions that people may have. The sessions will be held on the below dates in the Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue, and these will be 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 download the information shared at the consultation sessions on 5 December 2023 and 8 February 2024 and the feedback forms below.
There will be another opportunity for people to provide comments directly to The Highland Council when a formal planning application is submitted.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact: sutherlandspaceport@orbex.space