Oil Drilling Halted Following Revocation of Planning Permission

Production has been suspended at a contentious oil drilling site in Surrey, several months after its planning permission was invalidated in a significant legal ruling. In June, the Supreme Court determined that the comprehensive climate impact of the fossil fuel venture at Horse Hill in Horley ought to have been assessed prior to receiving approval from Surrey County Council (SCC). Previously, the council had asserted its adherence to planning law, and UK Oil and Gas Plc (UKOG), the firm operating the drilling, had stated that the court’s decision did not necessitate a halt to operations. Nevertheless, extraction has now ceased, prompting campaigners, who had pursued an extensive legal challenge against the project, to express that they are “thrilled.” Niall Toru, a lawyer representing the environmental organization Friends of the Earth, stated: “We are thrilled the developer has finally suspended oil drilling at the site. The fact it went unchecked for four months raises serious questions for Surrey County Council. We hope this signals the end of the Horse Hill development once and for all.” In a statement, UKOG indicated that its subsidiary, Horse Hill Developments Ltd (HHDL), had been collaborating with SCC “to find the most pragmatic way forward to achieve the required planning re-determination,” which involved site visits. The company also noted that the Supreme Court’s decision was “not the result of any action, error or omission by the company or its subsidiary,” and affirmed that HHDL had operated responsibly and “in full regulatory compliance during the six years of production planning consent.” UKOG further added: “A detailed plan for a safe, full suspension of related operations and activities will be implemented following SCC’s concurrence.” Following last week’s announcement from the council, which declared oil production at the site “unlawful” subsequent to the Supreme Court’s ruling, an SCC spokesperson expressed that it was “pleased that commercial production of oil at the site has ceased.” The spokesperson added: “However, discussions remain on-going in relation to full suspension of the site and our planning enforcement investigation remains live.”