2025 diary

By Ruth Hayhurst on January 3, 2025

DrillOrDrop’s diary of events in 2025 involving the UK onshore oil and gas industry and campaigns about it.

Venting at Larkwhistle oil site in Hampshire 2024. Photo: Clean Air Task Force

Wednesday 8 January 2025

Energy security and Net Zero committee meeting. Evidence from Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the CCC’s head of net zero, Emily Nurse. 3pm, Room 16, Palace of Westminster or online

Closing date on government consultation on supplementary guidance on assessing downstream emissions. Details

Thursday 9 January 2025

Environment Agency West Newton drop-in. Information event about Rathlin Energy plans for small-scale fracking at West Newton-A in East Yorkshire. 12 noon-4pm, Sproatley Village Hall. Details

Wednesday 15 January 2025

Lancashire County Council development control committee meeting. We’re watching this for any news on Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site, now in breach of planning permission. 10.30am, committee room b, County Hall, Preston. Link to agenda and webcast

Ed Miliband at DESNZ committee. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, will be answering questions from the parliamentary committee on energy security and net zero. 3pm, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House, Westminster or watch online. More details

Friday 24 January 2025

Extended deadline for Environment Agency consultation on changes to permit for West Newton-A site in East Yorkshire. Details

Monday 27 January 2025

EAC committee questions energy secretary. The parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee will question the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, on net zero commitments, airport expansion and the energy-intensive AI roll-out. 4.30pm online at https://parliamentlive.tv/Guide

Tuesday 28 or Wednesday 29 January 2025

Court of Appeal hearing on Balcombe oil test challenge. Details

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Surrey County Council planning committee – watching for questions and developments on Horse Hill oil site.

Appeal over excessive sentences. Greenpeace and Friends of the earth intervene in appeal over excessive custodial sentences for Just Stop Oil protesters. Also Thursday 30 January 2025. Details

Thursday 30 January 2025

Appeal over excessive sentences. Greenpeace and Friends of the earth intervene in appeal over excessive custodial sentences for Just Stop Oil protesters. Also Wednesday 29 January 2025. Details

Saturday 1 February 2025

Drop-in meeting. Frack Free Coastal Communities information meeting about gas exploration plans at Burniston. 10am-12 noon, Burniston Methodist Church. Details

Tuesday 4 February 2025

West Sussex County Council planning committee – watching for questions and developments on Broadford Bridge oil site.

Thursday 6 February 2025

Closing date for comments on Star Energy electricity pipeline application at Singleton. Details

Wednesday 12 February 2025

Biscathorpe comments deadline. The closing date for comments on Egdon Resources’ addendum to its environmental statement on climate emissions from burning oil from Biscathorpe in Lincolnshire. Comments should be sent by email to VE.RT@planninginspectorate.gov.uk using the appeal reference APP/Q2500/W/22/3296831.

Tuesday 25 February 2025

Lincolnshire Energy Conference. 8am-2.30pm, Lincoln University, organised by Lincolnshire County Council. Details

Wednesday 26 February 2025

Seventh carbon budget published. The Climate Change Committee will publish the UK’s seventh carbon budget.

Surrey County Council planning committee – watching for questions and developments on Horse Hill and Brockham oil sites.

Thursday 27 February 2025

Roundtable on methane reduction. The Clean Air Task Force, Singleton Forest Watch and the Weald Action Group host a roundtable at the UK Houses of Parliament on reducing methane emissions. The event will be chaired by Baroness Sheehan, chair of the House of Lords environment and climate change committee.

Friday 28 February 2025

New deadline for work to start on plugging and abandoning Preston New Road shale gas wells. Details

Burniston Parish drop-in event on gas drilling. Burniston parish council event to hear local opinions on Europa Oil and Gas plans for gas drilling and proppant squeeze at Burniston in North Yorkshire. 2pm-6pm, Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall. Details

Friday 7 March 2025

Legal judgement over right to protest. The Court of Appeal is due to issue its legal judgement in a case brought by Just Stop Oil over sentencing of protesters. It follows a two-day hearing in January.

Saturday 22 March 2025

March against Burniston gas plans. 1pm meet at Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall YO13 0HU. 2pm rally opposite Burniston Garden Centre YO13 0HJ.

Tuesday 25 March 2025

West Sussex County Council planning committee – watching for questions and developments on Broadford Bridge oil site. NOTE NEW DATE. Agenda

Wednesday 26 March 2025

Surrey County Council planning committee. Decision due on import and injection of wastewater to Brockham oil site. Details

Monday 31 March 2025

Cuadrilla’s estimated deadline to complete plugging and abandonment of Preston New Road shale gas wells in Lancashire. Details

Europa application for gas exploration at Burniston. Application expected by end of Q1 from Europa Oil & Gas for new gas site at Burniston in North Yorkshire. Details

Friday 4 April 2024

Sentencing of three Just Stop Oil supporters who sprayed red paint over the Treasury in 2022 in protest over consent for the Jackdaw gas field. Details

Young Friends of the Earth Scotland SkillShare and Network Gathering. Continues until Sunday 6 April. Atholl Centre, Pitlochry PH16 5BX. Open to anyone 18-30 who lives in Scotland. £10 fee for all accommodation and food. Tickets and details

Tuesday 15 April 2025

Extraordinary meeting of Burniston Parish Council. Meeting to consider the council’s response to plans for gas exploration on the edge of the village. 7pm, Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall. Details

Thursday 17 April 2025

Closing date for comments in North Yorkshire Council consultation on Burniston gas exploration plans. Planning application NY/2025/0030/ENV Link to application

Tuesday 22 April 2025

Extraordinary meeting of Newby and Scalby Town Council. Meeting to discuss Europa Oil & Gas planning application for gas exploration and proppant squeeze at Burniston. 7pm, council offices, 445b Scalby Road, YO12 6UA.

Wednesday 30 April 2025

Adaptation progress report published. The Climate Change Committee publishes England’s latest adaptation progress report.

West Sussex County Council planning committee – watching for questions and developments on Broadford Bridge oil site. NOTE NEW DATE

Monday 5 May 2025

UKOG target date for completion of site restoration for Broadford Bridge in West Sussex. Details

Thursday 15 May 2025

North York Moors National Park planning committee. The committee will vote on whether it will support or object to the Burniston gas exploration application to be decided by North Yorkshire Council. Park planners have recommended support. 10am, National Park Office, The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley or online. Link to agenda and livestream

Sunday 1 June 2025

Emissions reduction deadline – the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) requires operators to provide plans and budgets in their emissions reduction plan for continuous improvements in flaring and venting

Sunday 8 June 2025

Deadline for site restoration at Preston New Road. Planning permission requires Cuadrilla’s fracking site at Preston New Road to be restored to farmland by this date.

Tuesday 10 June 2025

Frack Free Coastal Communities open meeting. Open meeting about Europa Oil & Gas plans for gas exploration and a form of fracking at Burniston. Scarborough Rugby Club, Silver Royd, 569 Scalby Rd, Scalby, Scarborough YO13 0NL, 7pm-8.30pm.

Leigh Day environmental law conference 2025. 2pm-6pm, central London. Link to register

Tuesday 24 June 2025

West Sussex County Council planning committee meeting. We’ll be watching for an update on restoration of UKOG’s Broadford Bridge oil site. CANCELLED Details

Wednesday 25 June 2025

Mitigation progress report published. The Climate Change Committee publishes the UK’s latest mitigation progress report.

Surrey County Council planning meeting. We’re watching this meeting for any update on site clearance or future planning application for UKOG’s Horse Hill site. 10.30am, Council Chamber, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF

Star Energy investor webinar. Free webinar for existing and potential shareholders. 9.30am. Register

Monday 30 June 2025

NSTA drilling deadline. Drilling deadline for Loxley-1 well, near Dunsfold, in Surrey. Details

Tuesday 8 July 2025

North Yorkshire Council strategic planning meeting. We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on Europa Oil & Gas plans for gas exploration and proppant squeeze at Burniston. 10am, The Grand, County Hall. NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING.

Wednesday 9 July 2025

Climate change lobby of MPs. Mass lobby of UK parliament. More details to come.

Thursday 10 July 2025

NSTA decommissioning webinar. Presentations and panel discussion about the 2025 decommissioning cost and performance update. 10am-11.30am. Link to register

South Downs National Park Authority planning committee. Hearing on Singleton application for underground cable to local electricity distribution network. 10am, South Downs Centre Hall, Midhurst, GU29 9DH. Details

Monday 14 July 2025

Meeting of Wold Newton Parish Council in East Yorkshire. The agenda (see below) includes proposals to drill for gas at Foxholes. 7.30pm, Wold Newton village hall, Front Street, Wold Newton.

Wednesday 16 July 2025

Pre-appointment hearing for chair of Climate Change Committee – oral evidence. 3pm (public), the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, London SW1. Details

Friday 18 July 2025

UKOG project completion date for Broadford Bridge restoration

Tuesday 22 July 2025

West Sussex County Council planning committee meeting. We’ll be watching for an update on restoration of UKOG’s Broadford Bridge oil site. 10.30am, County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RQ. Details

Wednesday 23 July 2025

Tuesday 12 August 2025

Tuesday 19 August 2025

Emergency meeting of Foxholes Parish Council. Discussion of plans by Egdon Resources to drill for gas at Foxholes. 7pm-9pm, Foxholes Community Hall.

Wednesday 27 August 2025

North Lincolnshire Council planning committee. We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on an application by Egdon Resources (yet to be submitted) on the expansion of the Wressle oil and gas site. 2pm, Church Square House, High Street, Scunthorpe. Details APPLICATION NOT YET SUBMITTED

Tuesday 2 September 2025

UKOG general meeting. Meeting to adopt resolutions on alloting shares and issuing securities. 10am online. Open to shareholders only. Details

Wednesday 3 September 2025

Lancashire County Council planning committee meeting. We’re watching this for decisions on Cuadrilla site and Preston New Road. 10.30am, Committee Room B – The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston and online. APPLICATION SCHEDULED FOR 15 OCTOBER 2025

Environment Agency public open meeting on Burniston permit. Drop-in meeting, 12 noon-4pm, Burniston & Cloughton Village Hall, High Street, Burniston. Hosted by Burniston Parish Council. More details

Tuesday 9 September 2025

Tuesday 23 September 2025

Meeting of Dorset Council’s strategic and technical planning committee. We’re watching this meeting for a decision on Egdon Resources’ application to extend the life of its Waddock Cross site. DECISION POSTPONED OVER CLIMATE QUESTIONS (DrillOrDrop report)

Wednesday 24 September 2025

Lobby of East Sussex County Council. Divest East Sussex lobby of county hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, before meeting of the full council. 8.30am-10am.

Tuesday 30 September 2025

Horse Hill work programme deadline – expiry date for official work programme for PEDL137, the Horse Hill licence in Surrey

Tuesday 14 October 2025

North Yorkshire Council strategic planning meeting. ~~We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on Europa Oil & Gas plans for gas exploration and proppant squeeze at Burniston. 10am, The Grand, County Hall, Northallerton.~~ MEETING CANCELLED

Wednesday 15 October 2025

Lancashire County Council planning committee meeting. Expected decision on Cuadrilla site at Preston New Road. 10.30am, Committee Room B – The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston and online. NOT ON THE AGENDA

Wednesday 22 October 2025

Saturday 25 October 2025

Ask Alison’ event on fracking. Meeting hosted by Alison Hume MP about Europa Oil & Gas plans for lower volume fracking at Burniston in North Yorkshire. 10am-11.30am. Ticket-only event. Link to ticket application

Wednesday 29 October 2025

Government deadline for publishing an action plan on meeting UK legally-binding climate targets over next 12 years.

Friday 31 October 2025

Closing date for public consultation on Egdon Resources’ application to drill for gas at Foxholes in North Yorkshire. Link to application

Tuesday 4 November 2025

Nottinghamshire County Council planning committee. ~~We’re watching this meeting for possible decisions on changes to the restoration plans for Egdon Resources’ sites at Dukes Wood and Kirklington. 10.30am, County Hall, Nottingham.~~ Link to meeting NOT ON AGENDA

Tuesday 11 November 2025

Wednesday 19 November 2025

North Lincolnshire Council planning meeting. We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on Egdon Resources’ application for more drilling and production at the Wressle oil site near Scunthorpe. 2pm, Church Square House, High Street, Scunthorpe. Link to meeting

Thursday 20 November 2025

Closing date for public consultation on climate impact of Rosebank oilfield. More details

Tuesday 25 November 2025

Dorset Council strategic and technical planning committee. ~~We’re watching this meeting for a decision on Egdon Resources’ application to extend the life of its Waddock Cross site.~~ Link to meeting NOW EXPECTED JANUARY 2026

Thursday 4 December 2025

Lancashire County Council development control committee. Decision on Cuadrilla’s application for two more years at its suspended shale gas site at Preston New Road. 10.30am, Committee Room B – The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston and online. Link to meeting details

Friday 5 December 2025

Deadline for comments on Biscathorpe appeal. See details below.

Tuesday 9 December 2025

North Yorkshire strategic planning committee We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on Europa Oil & Gas plans for gas exploration and proppant squeeze at Burniston. 10am, Scarborough (tbc) . Link to meeting details NOT ON AGENDA

Wednesday 10 December 2025

Westminster Hall debate. Scarborough MP, Alison Hume, introduces a debate on the potential merits of banning small-scale fracking operations. 11am-11.30am, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament. Details

Tuesday 16 December 2025

Nottinghamshire County Council planning committee. We’re watching this meeting for possible decisions on changes to the restoration plans for Egdon Resources’ sites at Dukes Wood and Kirklington. 10.30am, County Hall, Nottingham. Link to meeting NOT ON AGENDA

Wednesday 17 December 2025

Tuesday 30 December 2025

Europa Oil & Gas AGM. 1pm, The Hellenic Centre, 16-18 Paddington Street, London S1U 5AS. Resolutions include director appointments.

2026 dates

Tuesday 13 January 2026

North Yorkshire strategic planning committee. We’re watching this meeting for a possible decision on Europa Oil & Gas plans for gas exploration and proppant squeeze at Burniston. 10am, Scarborough (tbc). Link to meeting details

Wednesday 14 January 2026

Monday 26 January 2026

Dorset Council strategic planning meeting. We’re watching this meeting for a decision on Egdon Resources’ application to extend the life of its Waddock Cross site. 10am, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XL. Link to meeting details

Tuesday 14 April 2026

Start of Biscathorpe planning inquiry. 10am Kenwick Hotel, Kenwick Park, Louth. More details soon.

Unconfirmed dates

Decision by Court of Appeal on whether to allow an appeal over the government’s climate adaptation plan. Friends of the Earth and two claimants. Details
UK government decision on $1.15 billion funding for liquified natural gas project in Mozambique. Friends of the Earth has argued that continued support for the project would be unlawful. Details
UK government expected to publish responses to proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework
Will West Cumbria Mining proceed with its planning application for a new coal mine near Whitehaven? The government is to re-evaluate the project. If the company wants to proceed, it must submit a revised climate assessment. Details
Surrey is expected to run a public consultation in June 2025 on site nominations in its new waste and minerals plan Details
Revised application expected for expansion of Angus Energy’s Saltfleetby gas site in Lincolnshire
Revised application expected from Egdon Resources for expansion of Wressle oil site in North Lincolnshire
Ruling on High Court challenge on diesel emissions in Northern Ireland. Expected in the spring. Details
Star Energy’s Singleton oil site in West Sussex is due to begin the export of electricity generated from previously flared gas by mid-2025
Lincolnshire County Council expected to publish response to consultation on the updated minerals plan
Legislation expected in late 2025 on Northern Ireland‘s plans to ban all onshore petroleum exploration and production

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