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This page will update on developments. If you have useful information
please email us.
Star Energy have deferred the hearing of their planning application by Surrey County Council. June 7th is now the earliest date that their application can go before the Planning Committee. (Subsequent committee dates are: 19 July, 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 22 Nov & 13 Dec.) Objections will be accepted right up to the date of the committee meeting but need to be submitted a few weeks ahead if they are to be incorporated into the case officer’s report. If you have not yet submitted your letter of objection, you may want to wait until early/mid May when clarification of the current application is anticipated. Faced with considerable local opposition to their proposals, Star Energy have informed Surrey County Council that they are investigating the potential for alternatives. (See also item below about Liaison Group). Star Energy may decide to proceed with this application after providing additional information or may decide to submit a revised application. A revised application would have to be submitted as a new application and would have to go through the whole planning process again. We will keep people informed through this update page as soon as we obtain any further information.
SaveBlackheathCommon Group representatives were present at a Liaison Committee meeting with Star Energy on Tuesday 21st March. This Liaison Committee has been set up under the auspices of Albury Parish Council, and has good representation from SaveBlackheathCommon, from the Blackheath Village Society, and from the Brook Residents' Group. Also on the Committee are local elected representatives of Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council, and the three Parish Councils of Albury, Wonersh and St. Martha's. Jonathan Lord of the Blackheath Village Society was unanimously elected as Chairman.
The key
finding from the meeting was the confirmation that Star Energy are
seriously investigating whether it will be possible for them to do their
their initial appraisal drilling from the existing site at Albury - (i.e.
the site on the other side of the road from Albury Cricket Club). We welcome
feedback from you on this (short-term) option.
HOWEVER,
if the appraisal drilling does reveal the gas-flow and the underground
'structures' that Star Energy are hoping to find, then the threat of further
gas drilling and storage operations in the locality remains - since it will
not be feasible for Star Energy to exploit the wider gasfield from the the
existing Albury site.
Star
Energy expect to be in a position to reveal their proposed appraisal site(s)
in early May, and they will call a further Liaison Committee
meeting to discuss these proposals prior to applying to Surrey County
Council for planning permission. It is unlikely that any new planning
application will now be made before June 2006.
On Saturday 8th April Cllr.David Davis, Councillor for Shere, and Chairman of Surrey County Council, was handed a petition, organised by the SaveBlackheathCommon Campaign, containing 1071 signatures of individuals opposed to Star Energy’s plans. Councillor Davis has been asked by the SaveBlackheathCommon Campaign to present the petition to Surrey County Council, who have already received 819 letters of objection to the application from concerned individuals and groups such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England. We would like to thank Jackie Chapman who kindly hosted the petition at Albury post office. We would also like to thank Milo Nicholson (pictured below) for presenting the petition on behalf of the thousands of residents and recreational users who treasure Blackheath Common and Sandy Lane.
Supporters have recently formed specific subgroups to work on defined areas of the campaign. A Media Group convened by Nicola Savage has held a number of productive meetings to plan publicity initiatives. Nick Wenman is overseeing a Specialists Group that has identified key areas of research. Supporters with specialist knowledge and relevant expertise are currently researching key areas such as planning legislation, industry/geological considerations and environmental impact. The successful creation of these subgroups brings a fresh wave of enthusiasm & energy and ensures that the campaign can respond effectively as soon as Star Energy have clarified their proposals. If you have specific information or expertise to offer then please Contact Us.
The SaveBlackheathCommon campaign will have
a stall at Blackheath Village's Mayday fair on Monday 1st May 2-5pm.
Come and see us to say hello....or discuss Star Energy's plans..... or
play "Guess where Star's gas storage is going to be"!
For further details of Star Energy's future plans for the Albury gas-field and photographs of what is at stake see the end of the Implications page or click here.
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please email
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