Plans for oil drilling facility near Louth rejected
Councillors voted against the proposals for a site at Biscathorpe
Last updated 2nd Nov 2021
Plans for an oil drilling facility in the Lincolnshire Wolds have been rejected by councillors.
They refused Egdon Resources' plans for Biscathorpe near Louth which it's thought contains more than 30 million barrels of oil.
Those who voted against said the impact would be greater than the benefits.
Reports to the committee had recommended approval, saying the effect would be minor
Proposals had faced a backlash with campaigners handing a petition to the Council with more than 1,790 signatures.
In addition 200 objections were submitted by locals who said the drill would emit huge amounts of carbon.
Developers said the site would be restored to agricultural use once drilling had finished.
Councillor Sue Blackburn said “To me, the benefits of this do not stack up to the problems we are going to have.”
Councillor Noi Seer said: “The people in that area are going to be living a nightmare for 15 years."
"Why would we want to spoil it? It’s a beautiful area.”
CEO Mark Abbott told the committee: “Oil produced from Biscathorpe will not lead to increased oil consumption, it will help to reduce that we import and contribute to energy security.”
He said it would create a “significantly lower” carbon emissions than importing the fuels and would be under strict legislation.
Councillors and objectors also used the meeting to highlight a lack of national policy allowing climate change to be considered as a material planning concern.