Protesters swarmed a county council planning meeting today to counter a local oil drilling company’s application for more security to keep out campaigners.
Lincolnshire County Council gave the green light for a series of changes to Edgon Resources’ planned exploratory drilling site near North Kelsey.
They include higher fencing, lighting and up to 12 security and welfare cabins on an adjacent field.
Edgon Resources said it was making the changes on the advice of Lincolnshire Police following recent demonstrations at their Biscathorpe site.
More protesters outside county hall this morning.
The Biscathorpe demonstrations in January saw a 74-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman arrested and charged with obstructing a highway and obstructing a constable respectively.
Paul Foster, speaking on behalf of Edgon, told councillors: “In recent years onshore oil and gas exploration in the UK has attracted considerable interest from a small number of active protesters.
“Edgon has a duty of care to ensure it’s employees, contractors, deliveries, visitors and indeed protestors are protected from risk of injury, and that it’s lawful operations are allowed to proceed unhindered.
“The amendments… will help prevent protesters getting access to the site, however the nature and scale of protester activities at Biscathorpe in January and February has raised the prospect of similar activities at Kelsey.”
Objector and resident Amanda Suddaby.
However, climate change activists said the threat posed by protesters had been “exaggerated”. They peacefully campaigned outside the council offices to demonstrate.
They said previous actions, which included sit-down and slow walking marches had been, on the whole, peaceful and pleasant.
Objector and nearby resident Amanda Suddaby said following the meeting: “The protests at Biscathorpe have been utterly peaceful, calm and good natured. There’s been a good relationship between the protesters and the gate, and the police, on the whole.
“The arrests were massively disproportionate responses to what was happening.”
Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee discussed the plans.
During the meeting, Councillor Julie Killey went so far as to say officers who arrested two protesters at the Biscathorpe site in January had been “heavy-handed” in their approach.
Concerns were raised that the additional cabins would see the site double in size.
Councillor Hilton Spratt accused the developers of getting planning permission “by stealth” pointing to the number of conditions and variations which have been given the go ahead since the plans were originally approved in 2014.
Councillors stopped short of allowing the hours of operation for HGV drivers being extended to 7pm at night during some phases of construction, which Edgon said it would need to accommodate the extra security measures it was implementing.
Increases in the allowed noise levels were also approved – though not by as much as the developers had wanted.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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