Villagers' fury over Coldharbour oil drill plans

Fury has erupted in a Mole Valley village after a planning application was submitted to drill for oil and gas.

Europa Oil and Gas Ltd has submitted a planning application to build an exploratory drillsite just outside Coldharbour.

The application would see drilling operations taking place 520m from the nearest property in the village round-the-clock at some point during the next three years, for around a five week period.

It also proposes building various drilling and flare units, which will include a 35m high rig that will protrude into the skyline.

The news has sparked outrage across the village.

Sue Skerritt, who has lived in the village for over 25 years, said: "They are going to have a rig with lights and generators.

"I think it will really impact on this beautiful landscape.

"And if they do find oil, are we going to end up living on an oil field?"

She added: "It is quite scary.

"We shouldn't keep eating away at all this beautiful landscape and spoiling it with industrialisation."

It is also proposed that there will be a maximum of 64 lorry movements a day via the A24 Knoll Road and Coldharbour Lane.

Residents have also been angered that Europa said on the application form that the address of the site was "Bury Hill Wood, Holmwood" when the location is 500m from the junction of Coldharbour Lane and Anstie Lane.

Coldharbour resident, Graham Mytton, said: "It rather looks as if someone is trying to avoid really being accurate and specific about where the proposed drilling and exploration will take place."

Mr Mytton, of Coldharbour Lane, added: "The main point to make is that this will mean a major disruption to the village.

"It is a peaceful and tranquil area where many people from around this part of England can come to relax.

"Everyone is very concerned and worried about the probable impact of all that is proposed."

Residents now have until March 11 to write to Surrey County Council (SCC) to object to the plans, before the application is determined by a committee on March 18.

A website has been set up by Coldharbour resident Simon Lea to keep residents updated on the village campaign at www.thevirtualvillage.com/oilwell.cfm.

A spokeswoman from SCC said: "We encourage residents with concerns to write into us as part of the consultation process."

Europa Oil and Gas Ltd has responded to the following concerns raised by residents:

The close proximity of the drill site to Coldharbour and the size of the drilling structure:

"We did an extensive search for the most suitable location to drill the well, with six location sites considered.

"The assessment concluded that the drilling site chosen had the least environmental impacts.

"Due to the screening effects of the woodland cover and topography very few residential properties, recreational routes or roads would experience any views of the rig at all."

The length of the consultation period:

"The consultation period is set by the Secretary of State for this type of application and is a statutory minimum to allow consultees and other third parties to comment on an application."

Why does the planning application say Bury Hill Wood in Holmwood?

"The Bury Hill Wood in Holmwood name is a legacy of the prospect name that was chosen when we submitted the application for the licence to the then Department of Trade and Industry in 2004.

"There is nothing intentionally misleading about it."

Traffic Problems:

"We recognise that traffic delays cause frustration and anger. However, the traffic controls are for a limited period only.

"The traffic lights would operate between the hours of 9.30am and 3pm weekdays and 9:30 and 1pm Saturdays, with all site traffic instructed to make deliveries only during those times."

Noise and light pollution:

"During the operation all noise levels at the nearest property are calculated to be well within the acceptable daytime noise limits and are, in fact, calculated to be very close or below the acceptable night time noise limit.

"The lighting assessment indicates that light spill from the site will not extend a significant distance from the site boundary."