The new proposal…an important update…

Star Energy requires an appraisal drill-site so that they can assess the suitability of the Albury gas field for further gas extraction and for gas storage.

Their current planning application is to construct a gas appraisal well-site adjacent to Blackheath Common, with an access road from Sandy Lane across Blackheath Common.

Faced with considerable opposition to their proposals, Star Energy have placed this planning application “on hold” whilst they investigated alternative options.

A Liaison Committee with broad community representation met with Star Energy for the second time on 31^st May.  Star Energy stated that they now intend to conduct appraisal by directional drilling from the existing Albury well-site in Albury Park.  Star Energy has identified a suitable rig that should be available towards the end of 2006.

Star Energy will proceed promptly on the planning permission process for directional drilling from their existing Albury site.  The first stage in the planning process is to request a “screening opinion” from Surrey County Council (SCC).  This initial stage is not subject to public consultation but we will provide details as they become available to us.  (Members of the public will be invited by SCC to express their views when the formal planning application has been made). 

SaveBlackheathCommon are concerned that Star Energy will suggest that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required to expand operations at their existing site.  We believe that the impact of drilling in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and historic parkland should be assessed through a formal EIA and, subject to the views of our supporters, we propose to express this view to Surrey CC.

It is unclear exactly how quickly a new planning application will be submitted but we will keep supporters informed through this Latest Update page and we will highlight any grounds for concern.

Star Energy has NOT yet withdrawn its existing planning application.  Until this happens, the threat to Blackheath Common and to Sandy Lane, in principle, remains.

SaveBlackheathCommon are delighted that the immediate threat to the Common and to Sandy Lane COULD soon be lifted, and we are extremely grateful to all our supporters for their help, vigilance and advice. However, we must carefully assess any new planning application and remain vigilant about protecting our countryside and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the future. 

In the longer term, Star Energy have made it clear that if appraisal drilling confirms their expectations they plan to exploit the Albury gas field for gas storage.  This will require one gas storage facility (for compressing the gas etc.), which would involve an above-ground site of c.5 acres.  This site could be situated anywhere between Albury and Ripley (although not necessarily on a straight line between the two).  It might also require further drilling and a well-site at one (or more) additional site(s), probably within a c.1.5 mile radius of the village of Blackheath, and quite possibly on the Shalford ‘side’.  If gas storage does go ahead, a gas pipeline would be dug between Albury and Ripley (again, not necessarily in a straight line), in order for the gas to enter the gas grid near Ripley.  There would be no compulsory purchase involved in this, so permission would have to be sought from all landowners along the pipeline route.  An additional gas pipeline out to the national gas grid near Oxted is also a possibility.  There would be inter-connecting pipelines between the existing Albury site and any other well-sites too, of course.  Star Energy has consultants actively looking at possible pipeline routes out to Ripley, and at possible sites for the (above-ground) gas storage facility.  One possibility for the storage facility is a c.4 acre extension of their existing 1-acre site in Albury Park.

The SaveBlackheathCommon campaign has a Steering Group with several members who also link into separate Research and Media groups.  We would welcome feedback from supporters about Star Energy’s new proposal and the future direction of the campaign.  Please see Contact Us on the website to feedback your views.  We also plan to have a stall at the Albury Produce Association show on Saturday July 15^th , so please come and see us for more information and to let us know your thoughts.