Mark Whitehead 09 June 2023

North Kelsey oil drilling planning appeal dropped

North Kelsey oil drilling planning appeal dropped image
Image: Giulia Paratelli / Shutterstock.com.

A company has withdrawn its appeal over plans to begin exploratory drilling for oil in a Lincolnshire village.

Egdon Resources says it will now submit a new application for drilling at North Kelsey, 19 miles north east of Lincoln.

The company had challenged Lincolnshire County Council's decision to refuse consent for drilling at the site.

The new plan will be more environment-friendly and will commit to consulting the local community.

But campaigners accused the company of wasting time and resources and said a fresh application would mean more delay and uncertainty.

Egdon said its decision followed correspondence with the planning inspector ahead of a hearing which was due to begin on 14 June.

It said the inspector had considered the lateral borehole in the application to be a new development as it fell outside the boundary of the firm's original 2014 planning consent for the site.

Egdon managing director Mark Abbott said it was 'disappointing' to withdraw the appeal.

'We and our advisers unfortunately saw little option given that a lateral borehole is key to the exploratory drilling, and to ensure clarity and robustness in any decision made.'

Egdon said its new application would reflect any changes since the 2014 consent and include updates to the ecology of the site, traffic issues and flood risk.

Amanda Suddaby of SOS North Kelsey said: 'Their statement clearly acknowledges that their reports were out of date and therefore inadequate – an issue we have raised on numerous occasions, particularly relating to ecology.

'With the deteriorating state of nature in the UK, we need to pay more attention to the damage being inflicted upon our environment by unsustainable developments such as this.'

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner