Egdon Resources plc has withdrawn its appeals against council refusal for exploratory drilling at North Kelsey because of an invalid lateral borehole but plans to submit a new application.
LATERAL BOREHOLE
The company added that the lateral borehole was a fundamental aspect of the exploratory well on PEDL241 to ensure all targets were fully explored.
The appeals against Lincolnshire County Council’s refusal for the plans were due to be heard on 14 and 15 June 2023.
Egdon said that in correspondence the planning inspector viewed the lateral borehole included in the latest application as new development that was “outside the original red line boundary of the 2014 planning consent” and could not be properly considered as part of a Section 73 application as made.
The company added that in the same correspondence both Egdon and Lincolnshire County Council, as the minerals planning authority, “expressed the position that the lateral borehole was valid under Section 73”.
NEW APPLICATION
Egdon said it would submit a new planning application as soon as possible to ensure clarity on the matter, and will include recent updated traffic, ecology and flood risk assessments.
The company will also conduct fresh consultation with the local community before submitting the application.
Managing director Mark Abbott added: “Whilst it is disappointing to have to withdraw the appeals at this late stage and with the strong belief that our case for approval was compelling, we and our advisors unfortunately saw little option given that a lateral borehole is key to the exploratory drilling, and to ensure clarity and robustness in any decision made.
“We will now focus on finalising a new application supported by recently completed updated technical assessments to account for any changes since the original planning consent from 2014.”
Union Jack Oil plc owns 50% of the North Kelsey project with Egdon as operator owning the remaining 50%.