GR Direct - Winter Sale 2024
Monday 11 November 2024
 6.5°C   WSW Light Air
Realta Events Management - 7-day training course
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Business / Strang reveals ambitious plans to rebuild Saxa Vord camp

Plans for a 350-bed accommodation complex depend on space port being a success

An aerial view of the Saxa Vord site.

PLANS are being drawn up to demolish the Saxa Vord camp in Unst and replace it with a £40 million complex providing accommodation for up to 350 people.

The ambitious plans are based on the expectation that the UK’s first ever orbital rocket launch will blast off from the space port site at Lamba Ness in autumn of next year.

SaxaVord Spaceport chief executive Frank Strang said initial designs were being drawn up for a facility that would provide a range of accommodation types from “top end to hostel” beds.

Strang said he was not yet in a position to release initial drawings publicly, but described what is imagined as a group of domes not dissimilar to the Eden project in Cornwall, or closer to home Iron Age wheelhouses huddled together.

“We are going to apply for a demolition order to demolish the site,” he said, “and we are working on designs (…) with a view to building a new 350-bed facility.

SaxaVord Spaceport chief executive Frank Strang. Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland News

“That work is well under way; we got initial designs, and we are looking to submit an application in a few months’ time.”

Strang had turned the former RAF camp into a holiday resort after buying Saxa Vord from the Ministry of Defence in the early 2000s.

He said the site looked tired and has been lying empty for two years mainly due to Covid. “It needs to happen and space is making it happen,” he said.

The plans to rebuild Saxa Vord hinge on the progress of the spaceport project, which promises to bring 140 new jobs to Unst and an additional 70 throughout Shetland.

It would provide accommodation for some of those working at the space port, and also cater for tourists expected to travel to Unst to witness rocket launches.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

Main contractor Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday that it was focused on fulfilling its UK Pathfinder obligation to the UK Government and aims to deliver the first satellite launch from UK soil in 2022.

Strang added that the momentum towards the project was building all the time: “The drumbeat is getting faster,” he said.

Following high-ranking visits in recent weeks from the UK Space Agency, the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the organisation tasked to regulate the emerging sector,  Lockheed Martin representatives are currently in the isles.

Following a meeting with the local community and the local media on Tuesday, they are continuing speaking to key partners today (Wednesday) to plan the logistics of getting the hardware, including rockets and rocket launcher, to the remote site in Unst.

“I am a great believer in setting the bar high.” Strang said. ”We are maintaining the pressure to get that launch away next year.

“The UK’s perspective we need to be first, and that’s why the pressure is up.

“It’s process that has slowed us down, but I have never seen such a wave of support for the project from all levels of government.

“This is the time for the space economy. There is such an excitement about space that everybody want a piece about it… and it’s about Unst being in the right place.”

Strang added that if everything goes to plan SaxaVord Spaceport are considering a trial launch in May 2022 to “test our processes” ahead of the real thing next autumn.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.