The announcement today that Llanbedr Airfield – which is within Snowdonia Enterprise Zone – is one of eight sites under consideration as a potential location for the UK Space Port has been warmly welcomed by Economy Minister Edwina Hart.
The Minister said: “The Welsh Government is fully committed to helping the UK realise its vision to host Europe’s first Space Port and delighted Llanbedr has been selected as a potential site with the prospective opportunities this could present for Wales.
“Should Llanbedr be selected it has the potential to provide a transformational opportunity – not only for the regional economy of North West Wales but in positioning Wales as a significant contributor to the rapidly growing UK and global space sector.
“Wales has existing strengths in Space Technology and the Space Port could serve to further embed and grow this technology base as part of the UK’s vision for the sector.
“The opportunities it could present for Wales now need to be fully explored and the next stage will be to examine the options to respond to the requirements of the National Space Flight Coordination Group in its evaluation of Llanbedr as a potential location for the Space Port.”
The Minister said officials would work with Llanbedr Airfield Estates and QinetiQ – who already have a teaming agreement in place – as well as all relevant stakeholders and partners in the private and public sector to take the proposals forward.