The authority which unlawfully granted planning permission for oil production at Horse Hill is continuing to “review the matter”, a spokesperson said this morning.

Surrey County Council has acknowledged that the site, near Horley, is operating without consent after the Supreme Court quashed planning permission in June 2024.

In a statement today, a council spokesperson said the authority was “continuing its investigation into the matter and assessing any potential next steps.”

The Supreme Court ruled that the council had acted unlawfully because it failed to take into account carbon emissions from burning the oil when it approved proposals five years ago for long-term extraction and extra wells.

Despite the court’s ruling, Horse Hill’s parent company, UK Oil & Gas plc, continued to produce oil from Horse Hill.

Yesterday, climate campaigners blocked the entrance to the site in protest. They urged the council to stop all activity at Horse Hill.

A Surrey County Council spokesperson said:

“Following the Supreme Court decision, the Council continues to review the matter. 

“The Supreme Court decided that the County Council acted unlawfully by not considering the indirect, downstream emissions of the oil when burnt in the Environmental Statement submitted with the application. The County Council’s decision was therefore quashed and the application returned to be re-determined in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.

“The applicant has been asked to provide further information to demonstrate how downstream emissions have been included in the Environmental Statement and in re-determining the application the County Council will have to determine whether or not the downstream emissions are likely to have significant effects on the environment. Once further information is received from the applicant it will be subject to public consultation as part of the planning application process.

“In line with good practice, the County Council will always  seek to resolve breaches of planning control through engaging with the operator to negotiate a resolution.

“Where there is a relevant live planning application, such as is the case at Horse Hill, the expediency of taking formal enforcement action will also need to be considered in the light of that. The County Council is continuing its investigation into the matter and assessing any potential next steps.”

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