The Weald Action Group has submitted a response to the review of the government’s approach to delivering its net zero target commissioned by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. The aim of the review was “to ensure we are delivering net zero in a way that is pro-business and pro-growth”.
Walkers to visit Surrey’s hidden oil extraction sites as part of Big Green Week
Press release from Extinction Rebellion
Climate campaigners are inviting Surrey residents to join a countryside walk of discovery this weekend between two of Surrey’s hidden oil extraction sites.
The 6.5 mile (10km) walk is taking place on Saturday 1st October as part of the national Great Big Green Week which is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and to protect nature.
Continue reading “Walkers to visit Surrey’s hidden oil extraction sites as part of Big Green Week”
Supreme Court to rule over go-ahead for oil wells at Horse Hill in Surrey
Press release from Leigh Day Solicitors
The Supreme Court will make a landmark ruling about whether councils must factor in the long term climate impact when considering applications for fossil fuel production plants.
The Law Lords will hear the case of campaigner Sarah Finch who has been granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court in her fight against the drilling of oil wells in Surrey.
Continue reading “Supreme Court to rule over go-ahead for oil wells at Horse Hill in Surrey”
Community group and local council challenge Dunsfold drill decision
Waverley Borough Council and community group, Protect Dunsfold are both seeking judicial review of the Government’s decision to allow exploratory drilling for fossil fuel at Dunsfold, on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Surrey Hills.
Continue reading “Community group and local council challenge Dunsfold drill decision”
“Unbelievable” Government decision to allow new gas site in Surrey
The decision by a Government Minister to allow prospecting for gas at Dunsfold in Surrey is “unbelievable” and “disappointing”.
Responding to the announcement by the Minister of State for Housing, Stuart Andrew MP, on behalf of the Secretary of State regarding the decision to allow the appeal for UK Oil & Gas to drill for hydrocarbons in Dunsfold, Surrey, James Knapp from the Weald Action Group said:
“We are deeply disappointed by today’s Government decision to give the go ahead for UK Oil & Gas to drill for fossil fuels in Dunsfold. The application was twice rejected by Surrey County Council and was also opposed by local councils.
“Even if the site is proven commercially viable it will take years for new gas production to come on stream so it will do nothing to alleviate the current energy price crisis. Indeed, the UK’s Committee on Climate Change has stated that ‘Any increase in UK extraction of oil and gas would have, at most, a marginal effect on the prices faced by UK consumers in the future’.
Continue reading ““Unbelievable” Government decision to allow new gas site in Surrey”
How can the UK accelerate the transition to net zero? WAG response to EAC
The Weald Action Group responded to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry examining the Government’s policies for securing energy supplies and accelerating the transition from fossil fuels.
Continue reading “How can the UK accelerate the transition to net zero? WAG response to EAC”
SECA spotlight on methane
The South East Climate Alliance (SECA) held its first knowledge sharing event on March 25th, with a deep dive into the issues around methane’s role as the second biggest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide.
WAG objects to environmental permit variation for Horse Hill
The Weald Action Group has submitted a response to the Environment Agency’s consultation on the application by Horse Hill Developments Ltd to vary the environmental permit for their Horse Hill well site at Horse Hill, near Horley in Surrey.
In summary, we do not agree with the Environment Agency’s draft decision for the following reasons:
Continue reading “WAG objects to environmental permit variation for Horse Hill”
Oil company now seeking permit to flare up to 10 tonnes of gas per day at Horse Hill
UPDATE: The Environment Agency extended the site’s permit to allow flaring of up to 10 tonnes of gas a day during production. Read more
– despite telling planning decision-makers the gas would be used to generate electricity
Horse Hill Developments Ltd (HHDL) has sought permission to flare up to ten tonnes of gas per day at its controversial Horse Hill oil site in Surrey.
Theoretically this means up to 3,650 tonnes of gas each year – or enough to heat up to 3,500 homes – could be simply burned, with the energy potentially wasted. [1]
UKOG abandons plans to explore for oil on the Isle of Wight
UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) has announced it will not appeal against the refusal of planning permission for exploration near the village of Arreton on the Isle of Wight.
The Isle of Wight Council unanimously refused the application in October 2021. This followed years of dedicated campaigning by Don’t Drill the Wight, a non- party political group of like-minded individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions and political affiliations, who are opposed to the development of new onshore exploration and extraction sites for oil and gas.
Continue reading “UKOG abandons plans to explore for oil on the Isle of Wight”