Wardell Armstrong’s Space Odyssey to Sustainability
Wardell Armstrong have supported Spaceport Cornwall and Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit on their latest venture – the UK’s first licensed Spaceport!
Being the newest airport in the UK and with one of the longest runways at 2,744m, Newquay Airport has been selected as home to a new horizontal launch Spaceport. Within the next few weeks, Cornwall Council and Virgin Orbit hope for orbiting satellites to be launched from a modified Boeing 747 aircraft. Once the aircraft reaches 35,000 ft, a rocket will detach, igniting its boosters and taking its payload of satellites into orbit.
Wardell Armstrong were commissioned to provide a bespoke Sustainability Plan for the Spaceport, to be submitted to the UK Space Agency as part of the project development and permitting. By taking into consideration the effects of the Spaceport on a range of receptors we were able to determine how well the project is likely to accord with low carbon and sustainability policy and objectives, in the context of Cornwall’s declared climate emergency and alignment of the project with the UN Sustainability Goals.
Preserving and Enhancing Wetland Habitats Across the UK
Today is World Wetlands Day!
In the UK, wetlands are found from high altitude peat bogs, springs and upland torrents, to meandering lowland rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and intertidal zones. Healthy wetlands help to maintain water quality and reduce flooding, whilst supporting important biodiversity. During increasingly frequent high rainfall events, natural or man-made wetlands can intercept and slow the flow of surface water. This can significantly reduce the impact of flooding downstream whilst providing excellent habitat for aquatic biodiversity.
