Europa Oil & Gas and partners Angus Energy are intending to carry out exploratory drilling for drilling for tight/shale oil at Leith Hill in Surrey. This is part of a wider plan to frack the Weald, coating a large part of Sussex and Surrey, in thousands of wells at typical densities of 4-8 wells per square mile. The companies presently involved do not have the billions needed for this however, and are currently involved in gathering data to facilitate such investment. If this creeping test drilling is not vigorously resisted the consequences for communities across Sussex and Surrey will be dire.
Leith Hill is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the choice of site can feel like a deliberate attempt to push the boundaries of acceptable development.
The original blockade, set up in October 2016, occupied the intended drill site – this was evicted in an operation involving specialist climbing and tunnelling bailiffs over two days in June 2017. A new camp has been established over the road from the site.
The company needs to get council approval on its controversial traffic management plan before it can begin moving site traffic up Coldharbour Lane, a very long, steep and narrow sunken lane bordered by woodland which is the only access to the site.
In the run up to the traffic management plan’s approval, support is needed to rebuild camp, monitor the site, and prepare for the next phase of action.
The address of the site is Redlands Wood, Coldharbour Lane, Holmwood, Surrey RH5 6HB. If you have time and skills and would like to help out please get in touch.
All support is welcomed at the Camp
Planning Applications
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| Licensee | Location | Type | Stage | Activity | Planning ID | Submitted | Decision | Status | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europa Oil & Gas | Bury Hill Wood (Leith Hill) | Shale (Granted) | Exploration | None | 2008/0169 | 09/12/2008 | 11/03/2009 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | Bury Hill Wood (Leith Hill) | Shale (Granted) | Exploration | None | APP/B3600/A/11/2166561 | 17/07/2014 | 09/12/2014 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | Bury Hill Wood (Leith Hill) | Shale (Granted) | Exploration | None | 2014/0082 | 14/05/2014 | 22/04/2015 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | Bury Hill Wood (Leith Hill) | Shale (Granted) | Exploration | None | 2016/0170 | 27/09/2016 | 28/10/2016 | Application | Closed |
Environmental Permits
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| Licensee | Location | Type | Stage | Activity | Permit ID | Comments open | Comments deadline | Status | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europa Oil & Gas | Bury Hill Wood (Leith Hill) | Shale (Granted) | Exploration | None | EPR/YP3735YK/A001EPR/EB3594DF/A001 | 06/04/2017 | 16/05/2017 | Application | Closed |