Amended spaceport plans to go before councillors

Amended plans for a spaceport in the Highlands have been submitted to councillors for approval.

The project proposed for a site on the Moine Peninsula has had planning permission for about three years, and some initial construction work started last year.

The amended plans for Sutherland Spaceport include a smaller launch pad and launch services facility, and realigning an access road to avoid an area of deep peat.

Highland Council planners said the changes would mean reducing the amount of peat that would have to be excavated by more than half. The soil is seen as important because it absorbs CO2.

Highland councillors meeting next week have been asked to approve the amendments.

In a report, officials said the amount of peat to be dug up could be cut from 24,046 cubic metres to 9,895 cubic metres.

It has been proposed using the spaceport for launching small satellites, including satellites for monitoring climate change.

It is one of a number being developed in Scotland.

Other projects are being developed on Unst in Shetland and the Western Isles.