Significant progress has been made on the Sutherland spaceport development today after a legal challenge was rejected.

A judicial review of the A’Mhoine spaceport development was launched following opposition from Wildland Limited, owned by Danish billionaire – and Scotland’s biggest landowner – Anders Holch Povlsen.

The project, which received official planning permission in August 2020, is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The development is expected to create hundreds of jobs and will, upon completion, enable satellite launches.

Wildland argued that the spaceport development may negatively impact wildlife at the site, with plans for visitor facilities highlighted as cause for serious concern.

At the review, which took place in June this year, lawyers acting for Wildland told Lord Docherty that correct procedures were not followed when planning permission was granted for the spaceport.

Lord Docherty dismissed Wildland’s case, ruling against the company on every count. “None of the grounds of challenge is well founded,” Lord Docherty ruled.

“I shall sustain the third to eight pleas-in-law for the respondent and the third to eight pleas-in-law for the interested party, repel the petitioner’s please-in-law, and refuse the petition,” he said.

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Lord Docherty’s ruling was welcomed by a host of parties involved in the development, including Melness Crofters Estate.

Dorothy Pritchard, Chair of MCE, described the ruling as a “game-changing” moment for the local community in Sutherland.

“We have worked tirelessly with all the stakeholders involved over the last four years to consider every stage of the development,” she said.

“Our priority has always been to ensure the close-knit community, its stunning landscape, and native wildlife are protected under a proposal that would make this the world’s first working croft land and carbon-neutral space hub,” Pritchard added.

Melness Crofters Estate has been heavily involved in the Sutherland spaceport development since its inception. Long-term, Pritchard said the project will be crucial to the local area, helping to create jobs, attract investment and sustain the community.

Scottish rocket company Orbex, one of the firms that will be launching from the site, also welcomed the decision.

Chief Executive Chris Larmour said the ruling marks the beginning of an exciting period for the British space sector.

“This is extremely positive news for a wide variety of communities and businesses and paves the way for the Pathfinder launch of small satellites from Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland,” he said.

“We’re especially pleased for the crofters of the Melness Crofters Estate, who will be able to protect and develop their community with modern jobs.”

The ruling means Sutherland remains the only UK spaceport yet to receive planning permission.

“With this ruling, the countdown to space launch from the UK can begin,” Larmour added.