§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria to be used by the Environment Agency in deciding whether to approve a request to build a rocket launch-pad on Sombrero Island, Anguilla. [44649]
§ Mr. BattleI have been asked to reply.
Beal Aerospace, a US firm, has approached the Government of Anguilla with a proposal to develop a satellite launch site on Sombrero Island. A US environmental consultancy firm is currently conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposal. This EIA will form part of Beal Aerospace's planning application.
This will be the first application the UK has received for a commercial launch site and so it is not possible, at this early stage in the process, to list the criteria to be used in evaluating the application. Officials in the British National Space Centre (BNSC) will consult the US authorities who have relevant experience and, in conjunction with the Environment Agency (EA) and other relevant governmental organisations, they will provide advice to Ministers on suitable evaluation criteria.