Environmental impact studies submitted
The construction of a sub-orbital vertical launch spaceport at Scolpaig Farm, North Uist reached an important waymarker last month with the publication of additional environmental impact studies.
The Spaceport project is led by a consortium that includes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HIE, QinetiQ, Rhea Group and Commercial Space Technologies Ltd. Plans for the project were first submitted in the summer of 2019 but later withdrawn after more than 600 objections were raised.
At a public information session held in November 2021, the developers showcased revised plans for a scaled down project, substantially reducing the size of the development and committing to a maximum of ten launches per year.
In February this year, revised plans were submitted along with environmental and other impact reports and a further period of consultation ensued. The new plans detailed ‘construction of sub-orbital vertical launch spaceport, including access road, fencing, launch pad with demountable launch tower, water and liquid storage tanks with associated services and infrastructure, repair and use 1no former farm building for storage, water pumps and communications facility, stabilize 1no derelict former farm building, upgrade to existing farm track and water crossing, vehicle parking and periodic intermittent siting of storage containers.’
As Planning Authority, the Comhairle announced in September that it had requested further Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI), which was due to be submitted at the end of November, and should be available to view on the Comhairle’s planning portal.
The Project will now go through a further period of consultation.
A spokesperson for CNES confirmed that the SEI would be available for comment, stating: “Receipt of the SEI will be advertised in both the Stornoway Gazette and Edinburgh Gazette in accordance with the regulatory requirements and will invite the public to review and comment upon the SEI. A re-consultation will also take place with relevant consultees.
A detailed assessment of the planning application proposal will follow, which will have regard to comments made by members of the public and specialist consultees.
A comprehensive report detailing the planning assessment and a recommendation will be prepared for consideration by the Planning Board of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, in due course.”
