Details:



To construct a hydrocarbon exploration bore hole will include the mobilisation of a drilling rig and equipment requiring highways access, loss of ancient woodland and track improvements, all of which will disturb the ancient woodland’s habitat and wildlife. Once gone ancient woodland (  http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/woodsunderthreat/what-ancient-mean.htm ) can not be recreated.

Planning application:

A planning application is currently being considered by Surrey County Council (SCC) and there is still time for you to influence their decision. Read more about the plans here  http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/mwplan/default.cfm searching under application reference:
SCC REF 2008/0169/PS

Take action now

We are very concerned about these plans and have registered our objection. We need you to send your objection into Surrey Country Council too. Please write your own letter - below are some of the issues you might consider including:

There will be direct loss of ancient woodland which is the equivalent of the UK’s rainforest. Ancient woodland is technically protected under Planning Policy Statement 9 (  http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/campaigns/planning/planningengland.htm )
but there are caveats and the planning authority needs to be reminded of this protection.

The disturbance of areas surrounding the site will impact significantly on the flora and fauna of the wood. For example bird song will be masked by the noise of continuous drilling and this makes it difficult for birds to hear their mates.
As a way to make up for the loss of ancient woodland the applicant plans to remove the top soil, store it for the duration of the project and then replace it and replant with trees. This "mitigation" is unsuitable (  http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/campaigns/briefingsmore/translocation.htm ) for ancient woodland as part of the value of ancient woodland is the undisturbed nature of the soils, which will obviously be completely destroyed by these activities.
Further information about the application is here:  http://www.thevirtualvillage.com/oilwell.cfm

Each household member should write a personalised letter of objection to SCC to reach both by 1st April. If you miss this deadline write anyway. Your letter will "count" with SCC provided it is received by 23rd April.

Register your objection (quoting reference 2008/0169/ PS) with Surrey County Council by emailing  mwcd@surreycc.gov.uk or write to:

Hilary Herbert
Planning Manager
Environment & Regulation
Surrey County Council
County Hall
Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey
KT1 2DY

Send us a copy of your objection e-mail to:  woodsunderthreat@woodlandtrust.org.uk

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