Waverley Borough Council’s Executive is seeking views from the public and other stakeholders to help shape its response to Surrey County Council’s consultation on proposed oil and gas exploration near Dunsfold.

UK Oil and Gas Ltd submitted an application in May this year for permission to drill an exploratory well on land near Dunsfold. Surrey County Council is the determining authority and Waverley Borough Council is being consulted as the Local Planning Authority.

Waverley’s Executive is inviting individuals and organisations to make representations in person, before a panel of four Councillors at a special evening session between 6 – 9pm on Tuesday 23 July at the council’s offices in Godalming.

Speakers will be allowed four minutes each to make a statement and Listening Panel members may ask questions to clarify any of the issues raised. The Listening Panel will be held in public and will be webcast live.

Those who wish to make representations are asked to email listening@waverley.gov.uk by 9am on Monday 15 July, stating their name and address, any relevant background information (eg profession or qualifications), whether they are acting as an individual or on behalf of an organisation and a summary of the key points of their representation. Depending on the number of responses, it may be necessary to limit the number of speakers on a particular issue.

Waverley Borough Council Leader, Councillor John Ward said: “When we announced the council’s new Executive, we said we wanted to do things differently, to be open and transparent and most importantly, to listen to our residents.

“We understand that this is an extremely sensitive issue for the local community. We want to include the views of our residents and the potential impacts on local communities in our response to Surrey, alongside the more technical considerations and our assessment of the environmental impacts.

“This is a new approach and essentially we will be piloting the format, as well as using the results from it to help shape our consultation response. I would urge local people, community groups or other organisations to get in touch and come along on 23 July to share their views with us.”

For further information contact:

Tel: 01483  523296

Web : www.waverley.gov.uk

Email: communications@waverley.gov.uk

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