LATEST UPDATE 10th Jan 2007

Faced with considerable opposition Star Energy withdrew their Blackheath Common application on 14th July 2006 (see previous update for full details).  In the subsequent few months Star Energy reconsidered their options and in November 2006released new plans for further appraisal drilling and future gas storage facilities in Albury Park.  
 

PLANNING COMMITTEE HEARING DEFERRED TO 21st FEB Surrey County Council today announced that they have deferred the hearing for Star Energy's planning application for further appraisal drilling in Albury Park.  The report will not go before the Planning and Regulatory Committee on 24 January asthere are still matters outstanding where further information is sought.   The next meeting of the Planning and Regulatory Committee is due to be held at 10am on Wed 21 February 2007 although the application could be deferred again to a later committee date (14 Mar, 18 Apr, 9 May, 13 June, 18 July, 12 Sept, 17 Oct, 21 Nov, 19 Dec). Objections can be lodged right up to the date of the meeting (currently 21st Feb) but you need to object by 5th Feb for your objection to be considered in the Planning officer's Report. So it's not too late to object! - Object now! Many thanks to those of you who have already submitted an objection.

 

ALBURY PARK APPRAISAL APPLICATION As anticipated, Star have now submitted a new planning application to Surrey County Council for drilling and appraisal at the existing Albury Park site.  Advances in borehole drilling technology mean that it is now possible to directionally drill from the existing wellsite at Albury, rather than construct a new wellsite on Blackheath Common.  The new planning application is to drill two new boreholes and carry out flow testing for hydrocarbons at the existing appraisal wellsite compound, at Albury Park, East of New Road, Albury:

Star Energy are hoping that this application will be heard by the Surrey Planning Committee in December of this year.

The previous Blackheath Common application (now withdrawn) would have caused permanent damage to Sandy Lane and Blackheath Common with considerable impact on landscape, ecology, recreational users and residents.  In this new application drilling would take place within the existing site, where much of the infrastructure including the access and access roadway and one borehole are already in place.  The 24 hour drilling would last 18 weeks, and they will have good initial appraisal of what they've found within three weeks thereafter.  The new application will still have significant impact in terms of traffic disturbance, noise, light pollution, emissions and visual impact.  The 29m drill rig will be visible from a considerable distance:

All the planning application documents are available on this website - see Albury Park documents.

All documents can also be viewed at Guildford Planning office. Some application documents can be viewed at www.guildford.gov.uk/acolnet/ then enter the application number 06/P/02087.  Please note that the application's main 180 page Supporting Statement is not yet available on the Guildford Borough internet site.

You can comment about the application to Surrey County Council by going to http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/mwplan/default.cfm and entering the application number GU06/02087.
 

PUBLIC MEETING Albury Parish Council kindly hosted a Public Meeting on Friday 10th November 2006.  A capacity crowd of concerned residents heard speakers outline Star Energy's Albury Park planning application for appraisal and future plans for gas storage facilities.   Click below to access various documents: Slide presentation on Background Slide presentation about Star Energy & Gas Storage Slide presentation outlining Grounds for Objection Campaign information sheet outlining Grounds for Objection Click here for CPRE's Objection document Surrey CC's guidance on Planning Procedure Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1) - Nov 2006 New Planning Policy     LODGE YOUR OBJECTION NOW !

STAR'S GAS STORAGE PLANS FOR ALBURY Star Energy's longer term plans are of considerable concern.  At a recent liaison meeting Star Energy revealed that Albury Park is firming up to be their preferred option for the 'Gas Plant' too - i.e. the plant that will allow storage (compressing the gas to put it underground; and then cleaning and de-humidifying the gas when it is re-extracted.  Previously Star Energy have said that the Gas Storage facility could be located anywhere between Albury and the "Ripley" gas pipeline. Unlike the drilling rig, this gas plant is, in effect, a permanent installation, and it would be placed adjacent to the current Albury site - effectively enlarging the existing site to create a 6-10 acre industrial facility. It is likely that there would be two pipelines constructed from the Albury gasfield - a low pressure pipeline to Longreach in the Horsleys and a high pressure pipeline to Tandridge nead Oxted.  The construction of these massive pipelines across long distances would obviously have a massive impact on the Surrey countryside, much of which is AONB. The construction of a gas storage facility and associated pipelines would involve a separate application - we will provide details as they become known.  The implications of any new planning application must be carefully assessed and we must remain vigilant about protecting our countryside and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the future.  Are these facilities appropriate in an AONB? Click here for additional photographs of Humbley Grove Storage Facility Star Energy intends to apply for the gas storage under the 1965 Gas Act.  This new approach by Star is an attempt to circumvent local planning regulations and public opposition so that their plans can be implemented without delay.  If Star is able to use the Gas Act for their storage application then the Energy Minister will decide on the application, although Surrey CC are among the statutory consultees.

 

BLACKHEATH COMMON At the recent liaison meeting Star Energy pledged (for the second time in as many meetings) that they would NOT try to come onto Blackheath Common for any further well-sites or for the gas plant (although it remains a possibility that they may need a further well-site somewhere 'in the Shalford direction').

BLETCHINGLEY IS NEXT ! Star Energy have also lodged a planning application for appraisal drilling at Kings Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, South Godstone with a view to another gas storage facility.  This application has been out for public consultation since 20th December and the statutory consultation period currently ends 26th January.  You can comment about the application to Surrey County Council by going to http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/mwplan/default.cfm and entering the application number TA06/Index2036/PS. Star Energy has arranged two public exhibitions as follows: Tues Jan16, 3-7pm at the Whyte Hart Barn, High St., Godstone Wed Jan 17, 4-8pm at the Forman Inst., Eastbourne  Rd, Blindley Heath   Ironically Star Energy are using a PR company called "Green Issues" to promote their meetings!

STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT 18 OCT

Star Energy Group PLC said it has decided to withdraw its current planning appeals and re-apply for consent to build a gas storage facility at Welton in Lincolnshire under different legislation. The new application is under the 1965 Gas Act, which the company said has never been used previously and provides for the storage of gas in natural porous strata such as partially depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. Applications under the 1965 Gas Act are submitted to the Energy Minister rather than local planning authorities, with the Department of Trade and Industry as the determining authority.

The company expects the decision to take six months once the application has been submitted. Star Energy is also planning to submit a 1965 Gas Act planning application for its Phase 1 Albury gas project during the first half of 2007. Immediately following the Albury appraisal well the company plans to drill an appraisal well on its Bletchingley gas field in anticipation of a 1965 Gas Act application for a further gas storage facility.

It also plans an application under the 1965 Gas Act for its Gainsborough gas storage project.

Star Energy also said it is actively pursuing possible asset acquisitions in Western Europe.

 

Click here for full Star Energy Press Release