Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, has welcomed the announcement of a £20m investment in Forres-based Orbex, which should secure jobs at the company’s Moray headquarters.
However, she also expressed her disappointment that the investment by the UK Government has not prompted a reconsideration of the future of the Sutherland spaceport site.
Despite the significant funding boost, Orbex has decided to continue its focus on the SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
Ms Burgess has called on Orbex to confirm whether the additional funds will help secure the expansion of the company’s manufacturing base in Forres.
“It is crucial that we understand how this investment will benefit the Highlands and Islands.
“I urge Orbex to clarify whether these funds will support the growth of their manufacturing operations in Forres, which could provide much-needed jobs and economic stability to the area.”
Ms Burgess stated:
“While this is good news for Shetland and Moray, it’s disheartening that this funding has not led to a rethink on the Sutherland site.
“The Sutherland spaceport project was not just about launching rockets; it was about creating sustainable economic opportunities and combating depopulation in the North Highlands.”
She continued:
“The abrupt decision to halt the Sutherland spaceport plans has had a severe impact on the local community, with workers learning about their job losses through the media.
“The decision also undermines the efforts of the Northwest 2045 collective to revitalise the region and build a sustainable future.”
The Sutherland spaceport project included plans to build 14 homes, which would have provided stable, well-paying jobs and a brighter future for local schools and community-led housing developments.
The decision to shift focus to SaxaVord, a site in which the main objector to the Sutherland spaceport, Anders Hoch Povlson, has invested, raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the decision-making process.