Local residents have been fighting proposals to drill for oil at Leith Hill since 2008, when a planning application on behalf of Europa Oil and Gas. Residents formed the Leith Hill Action Group and submitted a 44-page response to Surrey County Council in April 2009.

The plans have been through many twists and turns, including a Public Inquiry, a High Court Appeal and a Court of Appeal Hearing. A new Public Inquiry into Surrey County Council’s refusal to give Europa planning permission is scheduled to start on Wednesday 22 April 2015.

Meanwhile, Europa has submitted a new application, MO/2014/1006, for a horizontal borehole. Frack Free Surrey has formally objected, on the following grounds:
• impacts on Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• lorry traffic
• danger to aquifers,
• wildlife impacts
• climate change.

Download the submission here.

For updates and to support the local campaign, contact the Leith Hill Action Group.