Planning officials recommend go-ahead for Sutherland Spaceport application, including antennae park on top of Ben Tongue
Scotland’s richest man is set to lose another battle over the spaceport that neighbours his land.
Anders Holch Povlsen, who launched an unsuccessful legal challenge to overturn planning consent for Sutherland Spaceport, is fighting a new proposal to move the facility’s antenna park to the top of an iconic mountain.
But planning officials have recommended that it should be given lift off, subject to conditions.
Billionaire Mr Povlsen’s conservation and ecotourism company, Wildland Ltd, is objecting to the controversial plan to separate the antenna park from the main spaceport site on the A’Mhoine peninsula and instead install it some 5 miles away on the summit of the 302m (990.8 feet) high Ben Tongue.
Wildland Ltd is calling on members of Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee (NPAC), who are due to determine the planning application on Tuesday (October 29), to visit the site before making a decision.
But planning officials are recommending that councillors grant permission. The decision must be notified to Scottish Ministers who could intervene.
The application seeks the construction and operation of a vertical launch spaceport with launch operations control centre, launch site integration facility, launch pad complex, antenna park, access road, fencing, services and associated infrastructure.
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The report by principle planner Claire Farmer says: "All relevant matters have been taken into account when appraising this application. It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations. Members are asked to agree the recommendation to grant the application.”
She said the applicant, Sutherland Spaceport Ltd, is seeking an amended planning permission to the original consent of 2020 for the erection of a vertical launch facility to allow for the launch of small satellites into space.
"The intention is that the site would facilitate use by several launch service providers using different launch vehicles. The launch vehicles from the site would launch at a trajectory of between 83⁰ and 98⁰ north, carrying earth monitoring satellites at a frequency of no more than 12 launches per calendar year," says the report.
"The purpose of the spaceport is to launch small satellites into space to monitor climate change and thus also contributes to ensuring climate resilience in that regard, with it noted that it will deliver a positive biodiversity solution through the restoration of currently degraded peatland.
"Notably, the proposed development is broadly similar to that approved previously.....However, changes have subsequently been made to satisfy operational requirements, and to minimise the environmental impact.
"The amended application seeks the construction and operation of a vertical launch spaceport with launch operations control centre, launch site integration facility, launch pad complex, with the relocation of the antenna park, access road, fencing, services and associated infrastructure. At land 2600m South West of Dunbuie Talmine and the antenna park close to the summit of Ben Tongue (adjacent to an existing telecommunications mast and ancillary infrastructure).
"The applicant has stated that amended location of the antenna park is an integral part of the spaceport. The spaceport site covers an area of approximately 33.6 hectares, which is contained entirely within the site of the 2020 proposal."
She added:"However, given the existing infrastructure and that the proposed antenna infrastructure is much smaller with a maximum height of 9m when fully operational (the height is reduced as the antennas fold down when not in use) with a diameter of 5.4m, it is not considered that they would have a significant visual impact. The antenna infrastructure is also tucked in to form park of the existing infrastructure, reducing any visual impacts.
"It should be noted, however, that whilst the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) indicates potential views of the Antenna Park from the Eriboll East and Whiten Head Special Landscape Area (SLA), such visibility would be highly constrained and any views from this designation would be distant and inland and are considered unlikely to represent even localised significant effects on the special quality of this designations. Consequently, the integrity of the SLA would not be compromised.
"It is noted that the applicant has adopted a number of measures to minimise potential effects on seascape, landscape and visual."
But the suggested planning conditions include that: "In the event that no launch activity takes place from the site for a period of 5 years, or the operator, leaseholder and/or landlord advises that the development is no longer going to be operated, whichever is earliest, a scheme shall be submitted to the planning authority for its written approval detailing how the development will be decommissioned."
The area's community council is also backing the controversial plan.
Tongue, Melness and Skerray Community Council has come out in favour of the proposal which has attracted opposition.
The first rocket launch from Sutherland Spaceport is expected to take place next summer and will be the only launch that year with two launches planned for 2026.
But Wildland Ltd is concerned about lighting and noise on the summit of Ben Tongue from the rocket launches, particularly those taking place at night; the impact of the antenna park on protected species on Ben Tongue; and the impact of increased traffic and visitors.
Mr Povlsen is a Danish businessman who made his fortune in retail. He is the largest shareholder in the online giant Asos and a large investor in Zalando.
He is Scotland’s largest landowner, with more than 220,000 acres over 13 estates, and has been investing heavily in conservation for several years.
