Month: November 2020

Surrey Councillors have refused – for a second time – an application by UK Oil and Gas to drill at Dunsfold, near Godalming. The councillors recognised the huge impact the application for an exploratory drill would have had on the local community, local businesses, traffic, the environment and nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They also discussed the unsupported claims of UKOG that their operations would make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security.

Continue reading “Dunsfold application refused for second time”

The long-awaited Judicial Review of Surrey County Council’s decision-making over the planning permission for 20 years oil production at Horse Hill took place over two days this week.

Join a debrief with barrister Estelle Dehon

Continue reading “Horse Hill Judicial Review: reflections and debrief”

Case could have wide-ranging implications for future carbon-intense proposals

A legal challenge to Surrey County Council’s decision to allow 20 years of oil drilling and production to take place near Gatwick airport begins in the High Court today.

Continue reading “High Court hears legal challenge against Surrey oil development”

The Weald Action Group, with local groups Frack Free Surrey and Back Off Horse Hill, is proud to launch a new video which shows why local communities are opposing plans to drill for oil at Horse Hill, and elsewhere in southern England.

Continue reading “Horse Hill – we say no”

The need for hydrogen to meet the UK’s zero-carbon target does not justify the expansion of the onshore oil and gas industry.

Some oil and gas companies are making the case that by providing gas which could be used to produce hydrogen they are part of the transition to zero-carbon.  For example, Stephen Sanderson, CEO of UK Oil & Gas told Surrey County Council’s Planning Committee in June 2020: “We believe that well-regulated and safely produced indigenous gas, such as Loxley [Dunsfold], represents a vital opportunity to help meet net zero targets by providing the most cost effective solution for the future UK production of clean hydrogen fuel”.

Now the Weald Action Group has published a briefing which shows that there is no need for fossil fuels to produce this clean-burning fuel. 

Continue reading “Need for hydrogen is no justification for oil and gas expansion”