Scottish spaceport near protected areas approved despite local opposition

Artists John Kippen and Nicola Neate, North Uist residents who oppose the proposed first phase of the spaceport. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Plans to build a spaceport on the small Hebridean island of North Uist, close to heavily protected bird sanctuaries, have been given the green light despite significant local opposition.

The proposed spaceport at Scolpaig Farm, on the north-west coast of the island in the Outer Hebrides, will host up to 10 launches a year, firing small sub-orbital rockets out over the Atlantic.