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CPRE welcomes landmark judgment by Supreme Court
The Surrey Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Surrey) welcomes the Supreme Court decision today (20 June) upholding the challenge by the Weald Action Group against Surrey County Council on oil drilling at Horse Hill, near Horley. There are important ramifications from this judgment that will affect any future proposals for onshore oil and gas drilling. The Supreme Court concluded that Surrey CC failed to consider the long-term climate change impacts of the proposal when deciding to grant permission for oil drilling at Horse Hill.
CPRE Surrey spokesman Andy Smith said: “This landmark decision by the Supreme Court is a victory for countryside campaigners and for common sense. CPRE Surrey has supported the Weald Action Group in its challenge to Surrey County Council, and so we are delighted with this judicial decision today, which is not just great news for Surrey residents but will help move the country towards cleaner, greener energy sources. It is mystifying that the climate impacts of burning fossil fuels have not previously been included in the environmental impact assessments on proposals to drill for oil and gas. As a nation we should be investing in clean, sustainable technologies such as rooftop solar that will generate the energy we need while protecting our countryside from further harm.”
