Unite backs £17.3 million far north spaceport plan
THE planned £17.3 million spaceport in the far north could bring investment and jobs which would be vital to the local economy and help the predicted population decline in the area, according to a leading trade union.
Unite, which has over one million members, has given its backing to the proposed project at the A'Mhoine peninsula, near Tongue in north west Sutherland.
The site was selected from a total and 26 and would launch small satellites from the early 2020s.
According to the union, the site met a number of criteria and involved the UK Space Agency prior to a decision being made.
Unite says the the spaceport is seen as a key part of Scotland’s growing space sector and points out that Highlands and Islands Enterprise say around 40 high quality jobs would be created locally, part of a total of more than 400 across the wider area.
Richard Whyte, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "Both the Highland Council and NHS Highland forecast large population decline in the coming years for Sutherland and Caithness. This means it’s vital to attract investment in industries and skills such as the spacehub project which will create hundreds of new high quality jobs in the area. There are currently billions of pounds worth of investment in energy and infrastructure taking place across the Highlands but much of the workforce drive up from the central belt. We need to find ways to make sure as much of the investment benefits local people, particularly, young people leaving school who are looking for employment and that’s why Unite is putting its full weight behind this project."
The spaceport, which has widespread support, was criticised in a study by two academics who claimed it would adversely affect the local economy and environment.
The research by Professor Mike Danson of Heriot-Watt University and Geoff Whittam of Glasgow Caledonian University casts doubts on the claims about the 40 high quality jobs.
As reported in last week's Groat, they also claimed the spaceport could obstruct the development of other businesses and said not enough attention was paid to "infrastructural issues and environmental designations."
However, Highlands and Islands Enterprise blasted the findings as did the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Both organisations said the project offers significant opportunities for the area.