Asos billionaire loses newest authorized battle in opposition to the development of spaceport close to his Highland property
A billionaire retail tycoon and Scotland’s richest man today lost his latest battle over the construction of a spaceport neighbouring his land.
Anders Holch Povlsen, who is the largest shareholder in Asos and owns more than 200,000 acres in the Highlands, was previously unsuccessful in overturning planning consent for Sutherland Spaceport.
His objection to the project came even though he has spent £1.4m on a rival space project on the Shetland Islands, Povlsen revealed earlier this year.
Now in his latest objection, he has been fighting a new proposal to move Sutherland Spaceport’s antenna park to the top of an iconic mountain.
But despite some objections, councillors have today backed a planning official’s recommendation that the proposal should be given lift off, subject to conditions.
Scotland’s richest man, Anders Holch Povlsen, pictured with his wife Anne, has today lost his latest battle over the construction of a spaceport neighbouring his land in the Highlands
Anders Holch Povlsen, who is the largest shareholder in Asos, was previously unsuccessful in overturning planning consent for Sutherland Spaceport. His objection came even though he has spent £1.4m on a rival space project on the Shetland Islands
Councilors have given the green light to amended plans for Sutherland Spaceport, which include a smaller launch pad and launch services facility, as well as realigning an access road to avoid an area of deep peat. Pictured: An artist’s impression of the site
Billionaire Mr Povlsen’s conservation and ecotourism company, Wildland Ltd, objected to the separation of the antenna park from the main spaceport site on the A’Mhoine peninsula.
It was proposed to install it some five miles away on the summit of Ben Tongue at 302m (990.8 feet).
Wildland Ltd called on members of Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee (NPAC) to visit the site before making a decision.
But the amended plans for the spaceport – including the antenna – were approved.
The project has had planning permission for about three years and some initial construction work started last year.
Amended plans for Sutherland Spaceport include a smaller launch pad and launch services facility, as well as realigning an access road to avoid an area of deep peat.
Highland Council planners said the changes would mean reducing the amount of peat that would have to be excavated by more than half.
The soil is seen as important because it absorbs carbon dioxide.
In a report, officials said the amount of peat to be dug up could be cut from 24,046 cubic metres to 9,895 cubic metres.
It has been proposed using the spaceport for launching small satellites, including satellites for monitoring climate change.
Councillors have passed a proposal to install the antenna park five miles away from the main spaceport site on the summit of Ben Tongue, next to land owned by Povlsen
Today’s decision must be notified to Scottish Ministers who could intervene.
The application sought the construction and operation of a vertical launch spaceport with launch operations control centre, launch site integration facility, launch pad complex, antenna park, access road, fencing, services and associated infrastructure.
‘All relevant matters have been taken into account when appraising this application.
How a fly-fishing trip ended with 200,000 acres of Scottish land
Anders Povlsen fell in love with Scotland during a fly-fishing trip to the Highlands in the 1980s.
Growing up to become a billionaire retail tycoon, the Dane has amassed thousands of acres land across the country, spanning across 11 estates.
Mr Povlsen has amassed more than 200,000 acres of land across Scotland
He began building the portfolio in the autumn of 2006, with the £7.9 million acquisition of Glenfeshie, a 42,000-acre patch of the Cairngorms National Park.
Two years later, he spent another £15.5 million acquiring the 23,000-acre Braeroy estate near Fort William, nearby Tulloch, and Lynaberack in the Cairngorms.
Four estates were added between 2011 and 2015, and another three in 2016.
As of 2018 his landholdings covered an area half the size of Worcestershire.
‘It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations,’ said the report by principle planner Claire Farmer.
‘The intention is that the site would facilitate use by several launch service providers using different launch vehicles.
‘The launch vehicles from the site would launch at a trajectory of between 83* and 98* north, carrying earth monitoring satellites at a frequency of no more than 12 launches per calendar year.
‘The purpose of the Spaceport is to launch small satellites into space to monitor climate change and thus also contributes to ensuring climate resilience in that regard, with it noted that it will deliver a positive biodiversity solution through the restoration of currently degraded peatland.
‘Notably, the proposed development is broadly similar to that approved previously…..However, changes have subsequently been made to satisfy operational requirements, and to minimise the environmental impact.
‘The applicant has stated that amended location of the antenna park is an integral part of the Spaceport.
‘The Spaceport site covers an area of approximately 33.6 hectares, which is contained entirely within the site of the 2020 proposal.’
She added: ‘However, given the existing infrastructure and that the proposed Antenna Infrastructure is much smaller with a maximum height of 9m when fully operational (the height is reduced as the antennas fold down when not in use) with a diameter of 5.4m it is not considered that they would have a significant visual impact.
‘The antenna infrastructure is also tucked in to form park of the existing infrastructure, reducing any visual impacts.
‘It is noted that the applicant has adopted a number of measures to minimise potential effects on seascape, landscape and visual.’
Ms Farmer added that discussions were already underway to limit the number of visitors to the area to watch the launches.
Tongue, Melness and Skerray Community Council had come out in favour of the proposal.
The first rocket launch from Sutherland Spaceport is expected to take place next summer and will be the only launch that year with two launches planned for 2026.
But Wildland Ltd is concerned about lighting and noise on the summit of Ben Tongue from the rocket launches, particularly those taking place at night.
There are also concerns around the impact of the antenna park on protected species on Ben Tongue and the impact of increased traffic and visitors.
Mr Povlsen is a Danish businessman who made his fortune in retail. He is the largest shareholder in the online giant Asos and a large investor in Zalando.
He is Scotland’s largest landowner, with more than 220,000 acres over 13 estates, and has been investing heavily in conservation for several years.
