Author: Sarah Finch

UPDATE: The Planning & Regulatory Committee REFUSED this proposal.

Surrey County Council’s Planning & Regulatory Committee will discuss IGas’s application for installation of a steam methane reformation unit for the production of hydrogen from methane extracted from the Albury wellsite at their meeting on 29 March 2023.

The Council’s Planning Development Manager has recommended the plans be REFUSED – on grounds including harm to the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and failure to demonstrate that the development would not result in an unacceptable risk to protected lichen habitats.

Continue reading “Surrey planners recommend refusal of hydrogen scheme at Albury”

Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association (FFBRA) is going to court to challenge the Planning Inspector’s decision to allow Angus Energy to flow test in Balcombe.

Donate towards FFBRA’s legal costs

Continue reading “Residents launch legal challenge to permission for flow testing at Balcombe”

UPDATE

The High Court gave the go-ahead to the legal challenge against exporatory gas drilling near Dunsfold.

The court decided that the challenge should be considered on two grounds, concerning whether the government gave sufficient consideration to harm to the nearby Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and inconsistencies with its decision to refuse permission for gas testing at Ellesmere Port because of carbon emissions.

Continue reading “Challenge to Surrey Gas Drilling decision at the Royal Court of Justice”

The Weald Action Group has responded to the government’s consultation on proposed updates to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Continue reading “The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: our response to national policy reforms”

On 2 March, campaigners from Protect Dunsfold and Waverley Borough Council will be at the High Court, asking the Court to allow a judicial review of the decision by the government in June 2022 to permit exploration for gas in Dunsfold. Surrey County Council’s planning committee had twice rejected this project.

Continue reading “High Court to hear Dunsfold judicial review request on 2 March”

The Environmental Audit Committee, a cross-party committee of MPs has published its report on Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies.

Continue reading “MPs’ report on fossil fuels transition welcome but does not go far enough”

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”.

Continue reading “The Net Zero Review: Our response”

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”

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”

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”