Important news...

The existing planning application is to construct a gas extraction appraisal well-site adjacent to Blackheath Common with an access road from Sandy Lane across Blackheath Common. This application was submitted by Star Energy in December 2005 and has been on-hold because Surrey County Council (SCC) had requested substantial additional information. Star Energy have failed to provide this information within the agreed timescale but have also declined to withdraw the application.

The County Council believes that it is unreasonable to prolong the uncertainty regarding this application and intends to take the application to the Planning and Regulatory Committee on 19th July. The Committee meeting is held in the Ashcombe Suite at County Hall, Kingston at 10.30 am and is open to the public but capacity is limited. The decision to put the application to Committee has only just been taken and it may not be possible to have a report ready in time. In that case, it would have to go to the next meeting on 13 September. Matters should be clearer in the next week and we will keep you informed.

If you have held back on submitting your objection to the application or wish to raise further points then you should submit your objection before 30th June. Objections received after 30th June will still be accepted but will not be considered in preparation of the case officer’s report.

5 speakers against the application are allowed to address the committee for 3 minutes each. We propose putting forward 5 speakers from various interest groups who between them would represent the broad range of issues – environment, ecology, recreational users and residents. This would help avoid duplication and make optimal use of the limited time available. Please contact us with any views you may have about this.

Members of the campaign will be available to discuss any issues at the SaveBlackheathCommon stall at the Albury Produce Show at Albury Cricket Ground 2-5pm on Saturday 15th July.

 

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 have proceeded promptly on the planning permission process for directional drilling from their existing Albury Park 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 have suggested 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 we will 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.

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 about 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 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 4 acre extension of their existing 1-acre site in Albury Park.

We must carefully assess any new planning application and remain vigilant about protecting our countryside and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the future.