A picture of the Sutherland spaceport, Scotland that will be used to launch vertically-launched rockets.
A Scottish court dismissed objections by a billionaire landowner to a planning permission granted for an operator of a potential spaceport in the northern part of Scotland.
Anders Povlsen is a Danish fast fashion tycoon and has, according to The Scotsman, more land in the U.K. that the queen and Church of Scotland combined. He launched an earlier this year judicial review against Space hub Sutherland.
In a 30-page ruling, Raymond Doherty of Supreme Courts of Scotland ruled that Povlsen's petition was invalid. He stated that "none of these grounds is well-founded."
Povlsen's tourism and nature conservation company Wildland Limited, located on an estate near the proposed spaceport, protested against a decision by the Highlands Council. The council approved the construction of the space hub. The challenge, if granted, could have stopped plans for rockets to fly next year from the U.K.
Related: Photos: A first look inside Orbex’s Scotland rocket factory
Wildland Limited officials stated that the spaceport could cause damage to the natural environment in the A'Mhoine peninsula. This area is well-known for its rich biodiversity and peatlands. Lawyers for the company questioned whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which is the economic and community development agency of the Scottish Government, had taken into consideration the number visitors who visited the Space Hub Sutherland.
Povlsen's investment company Wild Ventures Limited invested an undisclosed amount last year in a rival spaceport venture called the Shetland Space Centre.
Space Hub Sutherland has received permission for the Shetland Space Centre. It is located on the island Unst, approximately 200 miles (320 km) north of A'Mhoine. Local media reported that NatureScot, Scotland's natural protection agency, protested against plans to launch vertical rockets out of the Shetland site. They cited concerns about the impacts on bird populations. Historic Environment Scotland, which is a public agency responsible for protecting the national heritage of Scotland, rejected the plans. They claimed that the center would damage the Skaw radar station, a significant national monument dating back to World War II.
Space Hub Sutherland is being held up by Wildland Limited's now-dismissed claims. Space.com was informed by a spokesperson for HIE that they are still waiting for a decision from the Scottish Land Court to allow construction of the spaceport to begin. The plans must be approved by the land court because the land where the spaceport will operate is part of a crofters estate. This is a small group of farmers who use the land as a grazing area for their cattle.
Farmers who currently live on the 2,464-acre estate (10 km2) will need to be allowed by the land court to move their animals away from launch dates. According to HIE plans, Space Hub Sutherland will host up to 12 small satellite launches each year.
A spokesperson for HIE stated that they expect to hear a decision within the next few days. The construction of the infrastructure required to operate the spaceport will begin shortly after. Before the first rocket launch can be made from the spaceport, it will need to have a control center, assembly facilities and offices.
Space.com was informed by Orbex, a U.K. rocket maker, that it still targets 2022 for its first flight from Space Hub Sutherland.
HIE stated in a statement that the spaceport could create up to 250 jobs in a region known for its biodiversity and beautiful natural environment.
Recently, the U.K. government passed legislation to allow spaceflight licenses for both spaceports and rocket companies to be issued. The Newquay Airport, Cornwall, plans to launch satellites into space. The launch facilities at Cornwall's Virgin Orbit facility will be available from a regular runway, unlike the two Scottish sites.
