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Home | Friday 29th May 2009 | Issue 677

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NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

The thirst for fossil fuels has seen an increase in willingness to search for black gold in the most provincial of places. The latest area of outstanding natural beauty under threat is Bury Hill Wood, part of the Abinger Forest, Surrey. 

A firm called Europa Oil and Gas has applied to drill there for oil, proposing a 120ft high drilling rig in a prominent position, visible from miles around including the North Downs. In case you miss it, it will be lit at night – as will the whole compound for health and safety reasons – and it will be capped by a flashing aircraft warning light. There will be four gas and oil flare units, generators and buildings including storerooms and staff accommodation covering most of the two acre site, currently pristine ancient woodland. And if they actually find oil, well...!

Ahead of the council planning hearing, locals and potential activists are going through the motions of registering objections – but as their website notes, sometimes these proposals get the nod despite all the objections. Well fancy!

See www.thevirtualvillage.com/oilwell.cfm?CFID=2332556&CFTOKEN=36851118

Keywords: europa oil and gas, oil, surrey


 

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