https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/s...-off-7v6z6xvqq
Shetland space centre fails to lift off
Plans for a space centre on Shetland have been rejected after heritage watchdogs warned of potential damage to a Second World War radar station.
The
Shetland Space Centre was planned to be constructed on Lamba Ness, Unst, but the proposals have been thrown out by Historic Environment Scotland due to the impact on Skaw radar station. The concrete site was described as a “remarkably well preserved and intact military complex which dates from the early 1940s”.
However, Frank Strang, chief executive of the space centre, said they would “vigorously contest” the refusal. He said the site “has for years been left in a dilapidated state” and that the space centre’s proposal included improving visitor access and building an interpretation centre.
The space centre was planned to be used by Lockheed Martin’s UK Pathfinder satellite launch system. It would enable up to 30 launches per year, approved by the UK Space Agency. Wild Ventures Ltd, a sister company of Wildland Ltd, which runs the estates of Scotland’s largest landowner, the Danish billionaire
Anders Holch Povlsen, invested £1.43 million in it.
The launch facility was expected to create about 140 jobs on Unst and inject at least £4.9 million a year into the island’s economy, and to create a further 70 jobs throughout Shetland.
The radar station was one of about 17 built in Scotland, and HES said it had “an important part to play” in telling the story of the defence of Britain.