Billionaire bankrolls other spaceport

SCOTLAND’S largest private landowner is to invest in a spaceport – after opposing a similar project near his estates.

Danish fashion tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen, 48 – worth around £4.73billion – has pledged £1.43million for the Shetland Space Centre (SSC) on the isle of Unst.

His company, Wildland Limited, owns estates near the proposed Sutherland Space Hub. It lodged a petition for a judicial review this month after Highland Council granted planning approval.

Wildland’s sister firm, Wild Ventures Limited, now has ‘a significant minority investment’ of £1.43million in the Shetland site.

It was announced last month that US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin is moving its satellite launch initiative to

Unst. Tim Kirkwood, of Wild Ventures said: ‘We have long been supportive of the idea that the space industry can deliver great benefits for Scotland’s rural economy. What’s needed is the right development.’

SSC has applied for permission to build a vertical launch port. CEO Frank Strang said: ‘We are completely aligned [with Wild Ventures] in our vision as to how space, science and nature can combine.’