DrillOrDrop’s diary of events in summer 2023 involving the UK onshore oil and gas industry and campaigns about it.

Find out more about four legal challenges, one appeal and one planning decision

This post will be updated with new details as we get them. Please let us know about any events you think should be included.

Wednesday 7 June 2023

Meeting of Lancashire County Council planning committee. Scheduled date for decision on Cuadrilla’s plans for two more years at Preston New Road fracking site. Link to meeting agenda, 10.30am, Committee Room ‘B’ – The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston.

Thursday 8 June 2023

Dunsfold statutory review hearing over government planning permission for gas exploration at UKOG’s Loxley site. Royal Courts of Justice, London WC2A 2LL. More details

Wednesday 14 June 2023

Appeal hearing for refusal of planning permission of time extension at Egdon’s North Kelsey site. 10am, Nettleton Village Hall, Moortown Road, Nettleton, Market Rasen LN7 6AA. Link to appeal website Cancelled after Egdon Resources withdrew from the appeal Details here

IGas AGM. Currently no details of time or location. Company announcement

Free webinar on the public order act. 5.30pm-7pm with speakers from Garden Court Chambers and Netpol. To book and details

Thursday 15 June 2023

Appeal hearing for refusal of planning permission of time extension at Egdon’s North Kelsey site. 12.30pm, Nettleton Village Hall, Moortown Road, Nettleton, Market Rasen LN7 6AA. Link to appeal website Cancelled after Egdon Resources withdrew from the appeal Details here

Sunday 18 June 2023

Shale trail – walk and talk. 6.5 mile guided countryside walk and talk from Horse Hill to Brockham to raise awareness of Surrey’s oil fields. Meet 1.30pm, Horse Hill Observation Post, A217, Horley, Surrey. Details

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Supreme Court hears challenge against Horse Hill oil drilling and production. Sarah Finch takes her challenge to Surrey County Council’s planning permission at Horse Hill to the highest court in the land. Supreme Court, Little George St, London SW1P 3BD. Link to Supreme Court listing. Friends of the Earth legal briefing

Thursday 22 June 2023

Supreme Court hears challenge against Horse Hill oil drilling and production. Sarah Finch takes her challenge to Surrey County Council’s planning permission at Horse Hill to the highest court in the land. Supreme Court, Little George St, London SW1P 3BD. Link to Supreme Court listing

Possible decision date on Glan Lash open cast coal mine. Scheduled date for Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee. First opportunity to vote on a proposal to extend permission to mine coal at the site. 10am, County Hall, Carmarthen SA31 1JP. Link to agenda

Wednesday 28 June 2023

CCC annual progress report to parliament.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council to debate the end of fossil fuel investments for its pension fund. 2pm, County Hall Beverley.

Wednesday 19 July 2023

High Court statutory challenge by Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association against Michael Gove’s approval of test of oil well. Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand, London WC2A 2LL. Start time to be confirmed.

EAC to hear from CCC and DESNEZ minister. The Environmental Audit Committee is to hear evidence from Chris Stark and Baroness Brown, of the Climate Change Committee (1.15pm) and the energy security minister, Graham Stuart (2.15pm). Committee Room 8, Houses of Parliament or online at parliamentlive.tv

Thursday 20 July 2023

High Court statutory challenge by Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association against Michael Gove’s approval of test of oil well. Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand, London WC2A 2LL. Start time to be confirmed.

Saturday 22 July 2023

Legal observer training. Online training by Green and Black Cross. 11am-1.30pm. Free but booking essential. Details

Tuesday 25 July 2023

Know your rights training. Green and Black Cross online training on protest rights. 6.30pm-9pm. Free but booking essential. Details

Sunday 30 July 2023

Legal observer training. Online training by Green and Black Cross. All day. Free but booking essential. Details

Unconfirmed dates

Onshore wind decision. The government is due to make a decision on what support is given to onshore wind power. A government consultation on modifying national planning policy wording (which currently means there is a de facto ban on new onshore wind development in England) closed on 2nd March.

Decision on Larne Lough gas caverns legal challenge. High Court in Northern Ireland ruling on a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland and the local campaign group, No Gas Caverns. The cases centres on plans to create seven underground caverns in salt layers under the lough. Case details

Coming up later

Tuesday 24 October 2023

Legal challenge to government decision to approve new coal mine in West Cumbria. High Court, London.

Wednesday 25 October 2023

Legal challenge to government decision to approve new coal mine in West Cumbria. High Court, London.

Thursday 26 October 2023

Legal challenge to government decision to approve new coal mine in West Cumbria. High Court, London.

Tuesday 7 November 2023-Friday 10 November 2023

Legal challenge over three mineral exploration licences in Northern Ireland.

Autumn 2023

Offshore oil and gas licences. The North Sea Transition Authority is expected to award permits to companies to explore for oil and gas. Expected late June.

Legal challenge over NI diesel emissions. Friends of the Earth and The Public Interest Litigation Support have been granted permission from the High Court to bring a legal challenge against Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure over its failure to ensure that legally compliant diesel emissions tests are carried out at government-controlled MOT vehicle testing centres.

Divestment and local government pension fund report. Updated report due to be published by Platform, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

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