1,600 people sign petition against oil rig near Dorset stately home
Campaigners will be in Dorchester today
There are plans to dig an oil well on farmland near a Dorset stately home.
South Western Energy are asking for permission to put a rig near Athelhampton House.
They say it will 'help offset the carbon footprint of oil imports to the UK.'
Campaigners who are against it will be in Dorchester today urging people to sign a petition opposing the planning application.
More than 1,600 have signed it so far.
On the petition they say:
"This application, validated by Dorset Council, for drilling a new oil well is a prime example of this inability to grasp the reality we find ourselves in and to act accordingly.
"We demand that you stand by your stated obligation, show leadership and act locally to prevent the worst ravages of catastrophic climate change."
The deadline for comments on the planning application is Wednesday 9th February.