|
R
| |
CAMPAIGN UPDATE July 14th
14th July...APPLICATION
WITHDRAWN
 |
Star Energy withdrew their Blackheath Common application
on 14th July 2006.
The application was due to be heard by
Surrey County Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee on 19th July.
The Case Officers' comprehensive report was universally damning and
recommended for refusal. Faced with almost certain failure Star Energy
have taken the less damaging option of withdrawal.
This is FANTASTIC NEWS for all who love Blackheath Common and our
magical environment.
Many, many thanks to all who objected to this
application and provided support. The quantity and quality of
objections has undoubtedly had a major influence in stopping this
application. |
Planning
Manager's report
Appendix A
Appendix B
SaveBlackheathCommon's Objection
Summary
HOWEVER, Star Energy is
still a major threat...
|
A
Liaison Committee with broad community representation met with Star Energy
for the second time on 31st 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.
Star Energy have requested a “screening opinion”
from Surrey County Council (SCC) and have been informed that an EIA would
not be required for directional drilling from their existing 1 acre site. Members of the public will be invited by SCC to express their views
when the formal planning application has been made. |
|
Star Energy are not expected to submit a planning application for further
appraisal at Albury Park until October at the earliest. |
|
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 West Horsley (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 West
Horsley
(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 West Horsley, 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. |
RETURN
TO UPDATE PAGE
|
