‘Have some decency': Melness Crofters’ Estate calls on Orbex to send representatives north to personally explain 'profoundly disappointing' Sutherland Spaceport decision
Orbex should have the decency to send representatives north to explain their decision to shelve Sutherland Spaceport, Melness Crofters’ Estate (MCE) has said.
The spaceport was set to be built on land owned by MCE on the A’Mhoine Peninsula, west of Tongue but as yet only part of the access has been built.
MCE was one of the project’s biggest supporters, in the hope that it would create jobs and investment in the local economy.
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A statement from the trust said: “Melness Crofters Estate are profoundly disappointed at this news from Orbex and hope that they will have the decency to send representatives to explain, in person, their decision to move their initial operations to SaxaVord.
“They should address questions from MCE, the Spaceport Liaison Group and members of the public.”
The statement continued: “When we started working with HIE to develop a spaceport it was with the intention of creating new economic opportunities for Melness and the wider area.
“The North Coast is one of the most fragile and disadvantaged areas in Sutherland. We have very poor infrastructure, a lack of services along with very few job opportunities for our young people. Developing the spaceport project was just one measure to try to address some of these issues.
“We have been discussing Orbex’s announcement with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and are committed to working with them to address the situation and work out a way forward for Sutherland Spaceport, which is well on its way to completion.”
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