Stone gives backing to Sutherland spaceport ahead of next planning stage
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North MP Jamie Stone hopes the proposed spaceport in Sutherland takes off as it could create 250 local jobs and give the area an economic boost.
He has again given the scheme his backing as the planning application for the development at A’Mhoine, near Melness, goes to the next stage of the process later this month.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross said: "I absolutely support this planning application and hope it goes ahead.
"It has the full support of local people. It could create 250 local jobs in a part of the Highlands that needs an economic boost.
"Many of us have studied the plans in some depth – it is not going to be an eyesore. Actually, it's really discreet."
Mr Stone added: "I would not be backing the spaceport if I believed it would be a complete disaster for our environment, but the evidence has convinced me that the site will be carbon-neutral and that the rockets can be powered by biopropane. I look forward to the planning application's progress."
The planning application will go to its next stage on June 26.
A petition has been signed by more than 500 people, calling on business tycoon and landowner Anders Holch Povlsen – whose company Wildland Ltd has lodged an objection to the plan – not to stand in its way.
Petition organiser Scott Coghill, the founder of Space Port United Residents (SPUR), said those who signed are local to Sutherland and north Caithness.
