HORSE HILL

On 18 October, Horse Hill Developments Ltd received planning permission for a further three years of oil drilling and related activity at Horse Hill.

• Read a summary of key points from the 62 documents on the Drill or Drop website
• You can find all the application documents on the Surrey County Council website

The Environment Agency has already granted the variation to HHDL’s environment permit to allow the works.

LEITH HILL

On 18 October, Europa received planning permission for security fencing, buildings and equipment at the Leith Hill site. Residents had opposed this application as it enlarged the footprint of the site, previously approved by the planning inspector in 2015.

However the planning committee voted to defer Europa’s Traffic Management Plan, for a second time. The Plan is a condition of the planning permission and Europa can’t start work without an approved plan. Residents have raised numerous concerns about risks to cyclists and horse riders, as well as the impact on Dorking town centre and residents along the traffic route, and the impact on sunken lanes and trees now subject to a tree preservation order.

For updates and to support the campaign against oil drilling here, contact the Leith Hill Action Group (the group which campaigned successfully campaigning for 7 years to stop drilling at Leith Hill) and A Voice for Leith Hill (a newer community group using art, music and family events to raise awareness of the drilling plans).

A Protection Camp was set up in October 2016 to be a physical embodiment of opposition. Come and celebrate the Protection Camp’s first anniversary on 21 and 22 October – a great chance to see the area and find out what’s in store. Event details on Facebook

BROCKHAM

Angus are still not in production at Brockham, even though they promised they would be by the end of the summer. The reason for delay is that the Oil & Gas Authority had not issued their consent  to Angus’ field development plan addendum to produce from the Kimmeridge layers.

Angus announced on 23 October that it had received this approval, which it said was the final regulatory consent it needed to begin production from the Kimmeridge formation in the well, known as BR-X4Z.

However a dispute over planning permission remains unresolved. Surrey County Council says it needs planning permission for production at the well, Angus maintains it does not. Meanwhile, the Council has approved a separate application for site buildings.

For news and updates, see the Brockham Oil Watch website.

ABOUT ADICISATION

Keith Taylor MEP has published a useful booklet on acidisation, one of the processes likely to be used at these sites. Download it from www.keithtaylormep.org.uk

This round-up is compiled by volunteers and information is presented in good faith. We are not experts and you are advised to do your own research. If anyone has further news or information about any oil or gas drilling planned or taking place in Surrey, please contact us.