Tower constructed on the well site at Bury Hill Wood
An operation to evict a protection camp continues for a second day on land near Leith Hill in Surrey earmarked by Europa to drill for oil. Check here for updates throughout the day.
The site at Bury Hill Wood was issued planning permission in August 2015 but no work has yet been carried out. A High Court eviction order was made in January 2017.
Opponents of Europa’s plans have constructed a tower on the wellsite and dug tunnels underneath it. About 20 people are reported to be in the tunnels and locked together. Other opponents spent the night at the entrance to the site. Yesterday, bailiffs arrived at just before 5am. They said they expected the operation to take for up to three days. Updates from Day 1.
11pm
Camp demolished
Camp, fort and tunnels demolished
Photo: RobHarbinson.com
Photo: RodHarbinson.com
8pm
All protesters removed from site
Photo: RodHarbinson.com
Photo: RodHarbinson.com
Daily Mail reports that specialist teams have removed all the campaigners from tunnels, tree houses and the “fort”
5.09pm
Four campaigners out
Four campaigners now removed from Leith Hill camp
4.55pm
Eviction now underway for 36 hours
One campaigner leaves the camp after nearly 36 hours. Photo: Dave Doktor
Campaigner leaves Leith Hill camp. Photo: David Doktor
Reports from the scene say no arrests so far.
3.30pm
“Two protectors removed” – reports
Reports that two campaigners have been removed from the site.
3pm
Complaints about damage
Complaints about damage by site delivery lorries to historic banks of Coldharbour Lane made to Paul Kennedy, Mole Valley District Councillor.
2.50pm
Scaffolding
Report say scaffolding is up around the “fort” at the protection camp and the removal team are inside with cutting gear. No-one yet cut out, reports say.
Photo used with author’s permission
Photom used with author’s permission
2.30pm
Bailiffs on site
2pm
More criticism of Forestry Commission for leasing land to Europa for oil exploration
11.50am
“Protectors are ok”
Update from opponents of drilling:
“Peaceful night at the gate opposite. Protectors inside have been visited a few times this morning and ok. A group is down there now to see them.
“Far fewer bailiffs/security/work teams today.
“Live streaming expected to start soon.”
9.30am
Opposition to Forestry Commission lease of land
4.55am
Eviction now been underway for 24 hours
More DrillOrDrop details about Bury Hill Wood
Categories: Legal
DRILL OR DROP? 
Cave digging, tunnel network, human faeces and wooden fortress??? This is not environmental protection but destruction. Where is health and safety in this so-called environment protectors??
Oh well, just in time for them to get to Glastonbury! (Perhaps the bailiffs were more intelligent on their timing than they were given credit for?) Mind you as they were continuously referred to as “anti fracking protestors” I trust they have now acquired a more accurate sat. nav.
Weeks and months to erect and dig out. Demolished and removed in hours. Hahahaha what a waste of life.
Where are day three updates….. oh there are none. … Hahahaha.
[Edited by moderator]
I think the updates may be in the weekend press when they investigate what has been ongoing. All depends on the amount of coverage the Lions require!
Hahahaha.
Lazy wastes of space…
From the times:
“The protesters hoped to use the tunnels to resist attempts to throw them off the land. It seems, however, that they overslept.
A team of specialist bailiffs armed with a High Court eviction notice arrived at the site at 5am on Wednesday expecting to find that the eco-warriors had chained themselves up deep underground — but when they arrived the tunnels were empty”