LISTEN: Moray Misses Out On UK Spaceport

Moray is to miss out on being the site of the UK's first spaceport.

RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks were intially shortlisted as possible candidates.

But, they failed to make the final 6 choices for the state of the art facility.

The shortlist has been cut from the eight named last July following a three-month consultation.

The six sites are now Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Glasgow Prestwick in South Ayrshire and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, as well as Newquay in Cornwall and Llanbedr in north Wales.

RAF Leuchars in Fife was also confirmed as a potential temporary facility.

The UK Government ruled out using either of the airfields due to overriding military operational factors''.

The aim is to have an operational spaceport by 2018, which could be used to launch tourists into space as well as commercial satellites.

Aviation minister Robert Goodwill said: I want Britain to lead the way in commercial spaceflight.

"Establishing a spaceport will ensure we are at the forefront of this exciting new technology.

Today's consultation response marks another step forward in our work to support this emerging industry, which will create jobs and drive economic growth.''

The decision has angered many who campaigned locally for the spaceport to be based in Moray.

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with chair of Moray Economic Partnership, Councillor John Cowe, about the decision...

Angus Robertson MP said: "The announcement that Kinloss and Lossiemouth have both been ruled out as potential spaceport sites is an extremely bad decision by the UK Government.

"I am utterly mystified that the Ministry of Defence assessment has reached this conclusion, particularly at Kinloss, whose runway is barely used since the Nimrods were removed from service and which has acres of space that could be better used.

"Given the keen interest shown in Moray’s location and facilities by Virgin Galactic it is an inexplicable decision.

"Many folk in Moray, both in public agencies and in the wider community, have backed the idea of a spaceport here and have evidenced the suitability of the area for it.

"They will be hugely disappointed by a decision that simply defies logic.”