Drilling for destruction in Surrey

30 March 2009

EUROPA seeks to destroy the environment in search of black gold.

Surrey County Council is considering the planning application of oil company EUROPA, which is seeking permission to search for oil and set up a testing programme just outside Coldharbour, Dorking in Surrey.

The application will lead to the destruction of nearly a hectare of ancient woodland, the richest habitat for species in the UK, and the surrounding environment.

The testing phase will last a minimum of five week's, however the work could last significantly longer. The construction of a hydrocarbon exploration bore hole requires the mobilisation of a 30m drilling rig and equipment requiring highways access and track improvements, all of which will increase disturbance to the ancient woodland's habitat and wildlife and can result in ancient woodland loss.

Ancient woodland is extremely fragile and it is the undisturbed nature of these sites gives them their ecological value. Ancient Woodland is the UK's equivalent of rainforest and is protected under local, regional and national planning laws.

Alice Farr of the Woodland Trust said: "The application ignores the value of the rich undisturbed soils found in ancient woodland which are vital to the ancient woodland's biodiversity. It inappropriately suggests that the soils can be removed and restored after construction but once disturbed the damage is done. Ancient woodland is probably the most complex of all habitats and the most reliant on undisturbed conditions for its survival, so it's misleading to indicate that this will mitigate the loss of this ancient woodland site."

Ancient woodland is the richest habitat for species in the UK, the UK's equivalent of rainforests. We know there are bats and badgers in the local area which are very likely to be disturbed by the noise and woodland destruction as well as Nightjar which is known to nest in the area. On top of this the increased activity in the woodland has the potential for lorries and plant vehicles running over adders and lizards basking during the day. We believe this application is the start of continued and extended destruction of this site.

Alice continues: "Our worry is that this could be just the start of destruction of the surrounding habitat. Should this initial exploration be successful in will be followed up by a number of appraisals, and if any hydrocarbon is found then we could see a significant chunk of the surrounding area being destroyed in the search for oil."

The Woodland Trust needs your help to stop this destruction – For more information and details of how to object visit the website below or call

08452 935 569

woodland-trust.org.uk/woodsunderthreat/campaigns/buryhillwood

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