UK Oil & Gas to launch appeal against Surrey County Council

The AIM-traded firm said it planned to submit an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate early in 2021, with an expectation that a public hearing or inquiry would be held in the following six to nine months.

It said its leading counsel had advised that there were “strong grounds” to expect a positive appeal outcome, as the cited grounds for refusal were allegedly in “direct conflict” with both the council’s planning and highway officer's reports, and the officers' two separate recommendations for approval.

UK Oil & Gas said an appeal would enable an independent professional inspector from the Planning Inspectorate to consider the evidence and come to an objective, evidence-based decision, which would determine whether the temporary Loxley development met the requirements of the Town and Country Planning Act, and other relevant policy guidance.

At both the 29 June and 27 November Surrey County Council planning committee meetings, the company said it also highlighted the role that a successful Loxley gas project would play in the government's low-carbon hydrogen policy, in which natural gas was reformed into clean-burning hydrogen, with an envisaged 85% saving in related carbon emissions.

Domestic gas has approximately a quarter of the carbon emissions of imported liquefied natural gas, the board claimed.

“Although not ideal in terms of speed, the appeal process at least ensures Loxley's case will be assessed by a competent and independent inspector who will deliver an evidence-based decision that is not unduly swayed by unsubstantiated and emotive local argument,” said chief executive officer Stephen Sanderson.

“We trust that any future decision will also consider the needs of the many who could benefit from a successful Loxley project's affordable, low-impact, low-carbon energy, as well as those of the privileged few.”

At 1629 GMT, shares in UK Oil & Gas were up 1.96% at 0.14p.