The facility in Sutherland was to be the UK's first but there are now doubts over its future.

Highland Council officers say the changes would reduce the amount of peat that would be excavated.

The 14,302-acre safety zone would be put in place during launches at Sutherland Spaceport.

Forres-based Orbex has proposed launching up to 12 rockets a year from Sutherland Spaceport.

Highland councillors claim there have been times when large parts of the region have had no cover.

New investors in space rocket manufacturer Orbex include the Scottish National Investment Bank.

Orbex said the roles would help progress plans for the launch of micro satellites from Sutherland.

The final version of the 19m-long Prime rocket is to be launched from a site in Sutherland.