It shouldn’t come as a surprise when you read that there are plans to drill (for oil). Why? Because we humans have always put making money ahead of everything (gross generalisation I know – I’m guilty of this too sometimes). Economic pressure is a powerful force, which often comes at the expense of ruining natural beauty. But, have all the recent anti’s obscured the real picture? If you look at www.thevirtualvillage.com website you’ll see all the pictures synomynous with armageddon… the end of the world. Pictures like the one below sure paint a gloomy impression, right? That’s for effect!
A typical drill ram
According to the action group’s website 1,588 people (Feb 25th) have formally objected against the Oil & Gas Exploration Planning Application (Bury Hill Wood). I’d be interested to know whether you were one of those and why you objected?
I might just point out that the Leith Hill Action Group should align their on-/off-line campaigns. They recently placed a campaign ad in the local Dorking Advertiser (Sept, 3rd) to remind locals about campaign, but when you visit their website their latest stop press notice is dated July 18th. So, with the website not very useful I’ve decided to join the ‘Don’t trash Leith Hill‘ Facebook group to follow developments.
So, how will it effect residents of Beare Green? I’m not sure. I know though that if you enjoy the natural delights of our surrounds then it might do. I ride (on my bicycle) on and off road around Coldharbour/Leith Hill and would be saddened by any destruction that might take place as a result of the exploration.
1 Comment
October 7, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Thanks to Beare Green for linking to the Coldharbour Oilwell site. 17 referrals (people who followed link) in September.
To be clear, we don’t know (from the website) how many people have registered and have also formally objected. Best guess (from enquiries to SCC and recent activity) is that there are about 1,100 formal objections in total.
I am webmaster for the site (which was created before the Leith Hill Action Group) and whilst I retain a degree of independence I am aligned with their thinking. The LHAG position is not “oil should not be extracted under any circumstances” – this would be a waste of breath within the planning framework. It is (and planning law dictates this) “that the proposed application (i.e. site) is unsuitable”.
My major personal concern is the permanent damage that HGVs would cause to Coldharbour Lane. There would be a “nodding donkey” if oil was extracted at the exploration site (production would be the subject of a separate application). If gas was discovered, it’s possible that this would be used in situ to produce electricity – but I accept that the gas power station image (the only royalty-free one I could find within the 5 days I had to set up the site – we officially had 28 days to object) is perhaps a little over the top
That aside, I think the campaign website is fair. The UK planning process (i.e. English law) is adverserial and the applicant (Europa Oil & Gas) has of course presented its application as “not a problem”. Most residents in Coldharbour (and many visitors – there are more objections than residents) think otherwise!
Debate is good!
Simon