The deep meadow grass and dappled forests of oak and beech in Surrey are the unlikely settings for a brand new frontier in fossil gas exploration – and a authorized take a look at case that threatens any new oil and fuel extraction in Britain.
Horse Hill, close to Horley, is the positioning of an oil effectively that is already in manufacturing.
It is effectively screened by woodland and bushy hedges, however footage from the air reveals a large space of onerous standing round a rig, flanked by storage tanks and short-term buildings. Horses graze the sector subsequent door.
Surrey County Council has given permission to develop operations, however this has been challenged by campaigners.
Horse Hill oil effectively in Surrey
Lisa Scott Conte says they failed to take a look at the entire environmental affect.
“Surrey County Council didn’t consider the burning of the fuel,” she stated.
“They solely thought-about the climate emissions as the oils and gases are being produced and not the downstream impact of what would happen when the produced oil is actually burned, when it is in the engines of cars and trucks.”
This is the difficulty in entrance of the Supreme Court on 21 June – ought to planning choices be based mostly not simply on native environmental impacts however the evident hurt of local weather change when the merchandise of that drilling are burnt?
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These are often called ‘downstream emissions’. A essential take a look at case in line with Katie de Kauwe, a lawyer for the marketing campaign group Friends of the Earth – judging by different events who have gotten concerned.
“This case could have an incredible impact,” Ms Kauwe stated. “The fact that the promoter of the West Cumbrian coal mine has decided to intervene in this case shows that, because these are two distinct fossil fuel projects.
“The problem of ‘finish use’ emissions is one in every of big significance as a result of finally that is the place the vast majority of the carbon emissions come up.”
Around 20 miles east of Horse Hill, the same company – UK Oil and Gas – applied to drill for gas and, despite planners rejecting this one, the government intervened to have it overturned.
Field proposed for Loxley effectively drill web site
The web site is correct between a chosen ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and the beautiful village of Dunsfold.
It is neighbourhood impacts which native resident Sarah Godwin from ‘Protect Dunsfold’ will see examined by the High Court.
“I would very much like to see the judge reverse the previous decision of the secretary of state,” she stated.
“You can’t have a drilling site with all the water pollution potential, light air pollution in a rural area. But more than that, they’re going to have very big vehicles on small country lanes.”
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But it’s plain that the UK nonetheless burns quite a lot of gas. Many of the picturesque Surrey villages will likely be heated with oil or fuel, most of us nonetheless fill automobiles on the pump.
In reality, round three quarters of all our power comes from fossil sources.
Charles McCallister, director of coverage on the foyer group UK Onshore Oil and Gas believes this justifies additional exploration right here – even in a local weather disaster.
“It is incontrovertible that the UK will continue to need oil and gas over 2050 and beyond,” he stated.
“The question is where do we get it from? Imports do not offer the evident economic, environmental and geopolitical benefits a domestic industry would offer. Specifically, imported oil and gas is much, much more carbon intensive than domestically produced gas.”
View from Hascombe Hill, Surrey
The authorities broadly agrees that some new drilling will likely be allowed and is appropriate with our goal of reaching internet zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The Labour Party just lately pledged to cease new oil and fuel exploration. The Supreme Court’s verdict may set off each political and environmental shockwaves.
Their judgement is predicted later this yr.
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