Detailed plans linked to long-term oil production and further drilling at Horse Hill in Surrey were withdrawn today by the site operator, officials confirmed.

The plans sought to comply with conditions of a planning permission granted by Surrey County Council in September 2019 but later quashed in 2024 in a landmark judgement at the Supreme Court.

DrillOrDrop understands the withdrawal of the plans is an attempt to tidy up the planning process for the site near Reigate.

They date from 2019-2022 and deal with plans for noise monitoring, transport and traffic management and construction environment management, as well as schemes dealing with surface water and lighting.

There was also a non-material amendment to allow the construction environment  management plan to be submitted before the construction of a new part of the site.

All the plans were approved under delegated powers by county council planning officers.

The site operator, a subsidiary of UK Oil & Gas plc, has said it expects to resubmit a new application for production and further wells at Horse Hill.

DrillOrDrop understands if the company’s new application were successful, planning conditions were likely to change and new plans would be needed.

Last month, the county council said it expected to receive new documents needed for the application by the end of February 2026. A public consultation would then begin. So far, no announcement has been made about the documents or consultation.

Strike-off notice

Companies House reported this week that UK Oil & Gas plc (UKOG) had been issued with a First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off.

This is a formal announcement in The Gazette official public record warning that a company may be dissolved.

The action is usually taken because of unpaid fees, non-filing of accounts, suspected inactivity or failure to respond to Companies House communications.

The UKOG notice is likely to be published on 17 March 2026.

The Horse Hill operator, Horse Hill Developments Limited, received a First Gazette notice for compulsory strike off on 2 December 2025. The notice was discontinued the next day.