Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission
Europa Oil & Gas, the company blocked last week from drilling near the Leith Hill beauty spot, began clearing the site today.
The lease for the site on Forestry Commission land at Bury Hill Wood expires tomorrow (12 September 2018).
The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, decided not to renew the agreement because of concerns that drilling for oil would damage nearby ancient woodland. The site operator, Europa, announced it was pulling out. DrillOrDrop report
Today, fencing was removed from parts of the woodland for the first time for nearly two years. Campaigners who visited the site reported that security staff would be leaving tomorrow.
Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission.
Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission
Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission
Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission
Clearance of fencing from the Leith Hill oil exploration site in Surrey, 11 September 2018. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission
The Bury Hill Wood site is still covered by a High Court injunction, which was also due to expire tomorrow. Last week, Europa sought an extension and was granted an extra 14 hours until a hearing on Thursday at 2pm. The company has since said it will not seek a further extension. DrillOrDrop report
Categories: Industry
DRILL OR DROP? 
One down , no doubt some will say insignificant but it will have hit the pockets of the investors , another tax write off maybe . Anyway , I just want to enjoy the moment and smile to myself 🙂
The oppressive atmosphere has disappeared, we are free to enjoy lovely Leith Hill for what it is again.
We had all got so used the feeling of dread hanging over the place, it is now more noticable by it’s absence.
Solidarity and thanks to all the people, North and South, that helped us, and who are still themselves living in dread of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration.
Missing you all ready Europa…….Not……..
I’m hoping this decision will have an impact on the proposed drilling of Sherwood Forest and the pressure being applied to the National Trust to allow assessment of their/our land.
Like the drilling of Sherwood Forest that has taken place over previous decades?
Ahh, that was before the Internet and Anti-social media so it hasn’t happened!
I wonder if Europa or Eclipse will ever pick up the rest of the fence stands, clamps, plastic tape etc that they have left behind. They obviously weren’t boy scouts.
So much for checking that all rubbish has been removed when you leave a site.
Yet another gold standard that falls short in execution.