An oil firm is to appeal after being refused planning consent for an English onshore development – that was given initial approval four years ago.
Egdon Resources is to appeal the decision of North Lincolnshire Council’s Planning Committee to refuse planning consent for a second time for the development of the Wressle Oil Field at Lodge Farm, North Lincolnshire.
The company was given temporary planning permission for drilling in the area back in 2013, with three potential hydrocarbon reservoirs discovered.
However the UK based firm, who are the operator with 25% interest, have since been caught up in council red tape.
Egdon submitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council for the retention of the Wressle site and development of an oil production site, which was refused at the start of the year.
Egdon has commenced an appeal and also submitted a new planning application (April 28) for the Wressle development. Earlier this month the new planning application was also refused.
The exploration and production firm are now taking a “dual track” approach to appeal both cases.
Mark Abbott, managing director of Egdon, said: “We are compelled to bring forward appeals against both of the decisions of North Lincolnshire Council’s special Planning Committee meeting of 3 July 2017.
“Following a thorough and detailed consultation and evaluation, both applications were recommended for approval by the Council’s Head of Development Management and Building Control and had support from the key statutory and regulatory consultees.
“In addition the environmental permit for the proposed Wressle development has been issued by the Environment Agency since the original decision in January of this year. We now look forward to presenting our case at the forthcoming public inquiry.”
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a 30%* working interest in Wressle alongside Egdon (operator, 25%), Celtique Energie Petroleum Ltd (30%, after the sale of 3.33% to Union Jack Oil plc which is subject to OGA approval), and Union Jack Oil plc (15%, following the above sale).
Notices advertising Egdon’s intention to appeal will be displayed in the local parishes and published in the local paper over the coming week in accordance with planning law.
An appeal will be submitted without delay shortly afterwards.
Egdon will also request that the Planning Inspectorate co-joins this new appeal with its appeal against the original refusal of planning permission of 11 January 2017. The first appeal is currently scheduled for early November 2017.
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