Inward Investment – Aerospace, Space & Defence
The Highlands & Islands of Scotland is a beautiful and vibrant region which enjoys a rich history, a healthy economy and a strong foundation for inward investment. There can be no better symbol for the efforts that are being made to put the region ‘on the map’ and establish it as a forward-thinking economy than the fact that the first spaceport in Europe is to be built on the northern tip of Scotland.
In July 2018, the UK Space Agency (UKSA) announced that it was backing ambitious proposals by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop Europe’s first dedicated vertical rocket launch site at The Moine, Sutherland. HIE has approved £17.3m to support the Space Hub Sutherland project which includes £2.5m from the UKSA, £9.8m from HIE with the remaining £5m being sought from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
The planning application was approved by The Highland Council in August 2020. The decision means that small commercial satellites and launch vehicles could be taking off from Sutherland within the next few years. Up to 12 launches a year will be permitted from the spaceport, which will include a control centre, 2.5km of road and a launch pad, occupying approx. 10 acres of the 740-acre site.
IABP – Aerospace Development Zone
This area of IABP has been ringfenced for companies operating within the Aerospace, Space and Defence sectors. With 7.4-acres of serviced land available for development we can cater for property enquiries of varying designs and can accommodate operational requirements for office, manufacturing, technology, research & development, warehousing and logistics activities.
As outlined in the below site plan here is an overview of what is available at the Aerospace Development Zone:
- Plot 1 (1.0-acre) – 10,500sqft of space (can be split for smaller enquiries)
- Plot 2 (2.4-acres) – 21,500sqft building (with land for future expansion)
- Plot 3 (1.7-acres) – 15,000sqft building (with land for future expansion)
- Plot 4 (1.0-acre) – 12,250sqft of space (can be split for smaller enquiries)
- Plot 5 (1.3-acres) – 10,500sqft of space (can be split for smaller enquiries)
Aerospace Development Zone – Site Plan
At Plot 2 we have outlined a flagship headquarters building of 21,500sqft for office and manufacturing activities with a projected headcount of 150 staff. Adjacent land has been earmarked to allow for future expansion with an additional 10,000sqft of space available.
Flagship Headquarters – Visual
Please contact John MacBean (Graham & Sibbald) for more information and a copy of the new IABP Inward Investment Proposition.