‘Enough is enough’: Oil drilling plans lodged a third time

Campaigners have said “enough is enough” as plans to drill for oil and gas in North Lincolnshire are to be heard for a third time.

The fresh plans lodged by Egdon Resources to North Lincolnshire Council to continue drilling at Lodge Farm, near Wressle, will be the third time the company has tried to get plans approved.

Egdon recently had an application to extend their time at the site rejected by the council in August.

Councillors were described as heroes by campaigners for turning down the plans.

The new proposal would see the company retain the Wressle well site and drill for a period of 15 years.

Members of North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee.

But local councils and campaigners have raised concern over water contamination.

Councillors on the council’s planning committee will hear the proposal on November 28 and have been recommended to approve the plan.

Mark Abbott, managing director at Egdon, said the new proposal “comprehensively addresses” previous concerns.

“This new application comprehensively addresses the reason for refusal given by the independent Planning Inspector’s decision letter which effectively came down to the issue of the potential impacts to groundwater resources and the associated environmental protection measures,” he said.

“The new application to convert the Wressle site into a conventional oil production facility includes a new independent ground investigation report using the information from boreholes and tests undertaken in early 2018.”

Councillors will hear the plans at The Civic Centre in Scunthorpe. North Lincolnshire Council head offices.

He added that the council has also commissioned an independent report into the plan which said the proposals are “appropriate and proportionate” to protect groundwater.

“We’re pleased that, given this positive report, the application has been recommended for approval by council officers subject to appropriate conditions, with no objections from British Steel, the Environment Agency or the Council’s own Environmental Health team,” said Mr Abbott.

“We are keen to continue our dialogue with local people and will be seeking to establish a Community Liaison Group (CLG) which will be meeting regularly throughout the life of the project should the project be granted planning permission.”

But, local campaigner, Geraldine Clayton, said in a letter to the council that “enough is enough” and said there was still concern about water contamination.

“Egdon has already bamboozled it’s way through the planning system with a plethora of applications and appeals both here and in North Kelsey and Biscathorpe,” she said.

“I believe it is now time to let them know that enough is enough.

“In this part of Lincolnshire, an unusually high percentage of the population rely on underground supplies for their domestic water use.

“Any potential hazards to our subsurface networks should be seriously taken into account.”

The plan has also been met with “strong objection” from Broughton Town Council and concern from Appleby Town Council.

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