Issue - meetings

The construction, operation and decommissioning of a well site for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbon minerals from one exploratory borehole (Loxley-1) and one side - track borehole (Loxley - 1z) for a temporary period of three years involving the siting of plant and equipment, the construction of a new access track, a new highway junction with High Loxley Road, highway improvements at the junction of High Loxley Road and Dunsfold Road and the erection of a boundary fence and entrance gates with restoration to agriculture.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, planning site visits are not able to take place therefore footage of this site can be accessed on the webcasting portal which can be accessed here (select the Resources tab):

https://surreycc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/515802

Officers:

David Maxwell, Senior Planning Officer

Caroline Smith, Interim Planning Group Manager

Stephen Jenkins, Interim Planning Development Manager

Andrew Stokes, Transport Development Planning

Nancy El-Shatoury, Principal Lawyer

Joss Butler, Committee Manager

The Principal Lawyer summarised the legal position in relation to this item. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 1.

Speakers:

Sarah Goodwin made representations in objection to the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 2.

Tom Gordon made representations in objection to the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 3.

Ashley Herman made representations in objection to the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 4.

Chris Britton made representations in objection to the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 5.

John Gray made representations in objection to the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 6.

Ashley Ward made representations in support of the application. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 7.

The applicant’s agent / applicant, Nigel Moore and Stephen Sanderson, spoke to the Committee in response to the public speakers’ comments. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 8.

The Local Member, Victoria Young, spoke for three minutes. The speech presented to the Committee is attached to these minutes as Annex 9.

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    David Maxwell, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report and provided Members with a brief summary. A supplementary agenda was published on 26 November 2020 which included an update sheet for the item. Additional representations are attached to these minutes as Annexes 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.  Members noted that the proposal was for the construction, operation and decommissioning of a well site for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbon minerals from one exploratory borehole (Loxley-1) and one side - track borehole (Loxley - 1z) for a temporary period of three years involving the siting of plant and equipment, the construction of a new access track, a new highway junction with High Loxley Road, highway improvements at the junction of High Loxley Road and Dunsfold Road and the erection of a boundary fence and entrance gates with restoration to agriculture.Members noted that the County Highway Authority had raised no objections to the application subject to conditions. The full report and annexes are located from pages 3 of the meeting’s agenda.

The Committee adjourned from 11:39am to 11:47am.

2.    Members asked for clarification on the difference between ‘grey hydrogen’ and ‘green hydrogen’. It was noted that ‘green hydrogen’ was from renewable energy and ‘grey hydrogen’ was from fossil fuels. It was however noted that there was no reference to hydrogen in the planning statement submitted by the applicant. 

3.    Members stated that, if found, they understood the benefits of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37