Weald Action Group

The previous planning permission for new infrastructure and oil production at Horse Hill was quashed by the Supreme Court in June 2024 following our five-year legal fight.

Now, two years later, the operator has submitted a new planning application. It again seeks permission for four new production wells (bringing the total to six), a new oil processing area, tanker loading facilities and a fluid reinjection well. The proposal would allow the extraction of more than 600,000 tonnes of oil over 20 years.

Continue reading “New application for oil production at Horse Hill, climate assessment is flawed”

Following our Supreme Court victory with the ‘Finch’ Judgment in 2024, the 2019 planning permission for the expanded oil production and development at Horse Hill was quashed. The oil company, Horse Hill Developments Ltd (HHDL)*, has now submitted a revised application, including a new climate assessment.

Although the formal consultation by Surrey County Council (SCC) closed on 13 July, they are still accepting objections and have confirmed to us that they will assess all submissions received before the planning decision date. The earliest Planning Committee meeting which could discuss this application is September, so please don’t assume it’s too late to respond.

Continue reading “Horse Hill oil expansion plans are back! Have your say”

The Weald Action Group invites campaigners to join us for ‘Cake at the Gate’*, a relaxed get-together outside the Horndean oil site, which is the site at the centre of our legal challenge over methane pollution. Continue reading “Join us for Cake at the Gate at Horndean, 6 September 2026”

The Weald Action Group has responded to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC)’s latest five-yearly advice to the Government on the likely impact of onshore petroleum extraction in England on the ability to meet UK-wide carbon budgets and Net Zero.

In a letter to CCC Chair Nigel Topping, we say that the CCC’s January 2026 letter to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero runs contrary to the Committee’s previous advice of a presumption against furthering such developments – and may well underestimate the emissions associated with onshore petroleum activity.

Continue reading “Official advice to government likely underestimates impact of onshore petroleum activity”

Award recognizes grassroots environmental leaders who take significant action for our planet

Climate campaigner Sarah Finch, who won a landmark and far-reaching legal victory in the UK Supreme Court in 2024 in a case she brought on behalf of the Weald Action Group, is one of the six winners of the prestigious 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize.

The Prize is awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists from each of the world’s six primary regions. Prize winners are selected by an international jury from nominations submitted by a worldwide network of organizations and individuals.

Continue reading “Weald Action Group Campaigner Sarah Finch awarded US Goldman Prize”

A community goes to court to challenge the extension of a fossil fuel development. They argue – among other things – that the environmental assessment should have covered the climate impacts of burning the fuel to be produced. They lose in the first court and take their case to the court of appeal….

Sound familiar?

It’s not the Weald Action Group this time, but a local group fighting coal in New South Wales, Australia.

Continue reading “Australian anti-coal campaigner visits Weald Action Group”

The Weald Action Group has responded to the government’s consultation on proposed changes to planning policy (the National Planning Policy Framework, or NPPF). 

Current planning policy allows for – and positively encourages – oil and gas development within licenced areas. The new draft contains some changes – but unfortunate wording and omissions undermine some of the improvements.

Read our submission here 

Continue reading “Proposed planning policy updates on onshore oil and gas: some improvements, much more needed”

We have written to the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government and for Energy Security & Net Zero asking them NOT to implement recommendations from a controversial review of nuclear regulation. Read the letter.

Continue reading “Letter to the Prime Minister: Don’t scrap the Finch ruling”

We have won an important change that will make it easier for planners in Hampshire to make good decisions on oil and gas development applications.

Continue reading “Win in Hampshire: misleading wording removed from Minerals & Waste Plan”

 

The Weald Action Group is starting the new year by launching legal action over the UK’s failure to properly regulate methane emissions from onshore oil and gas sites.

Continue reading “Weald Action Group launches new legal action to tackle methane pollution from onshore oil and gas”