Tuesday evening saw the Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee make a momentous decision to reject the planning application by UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) for oil exploration wells in Arreton.
Following the Committee meeting, Alliance Group Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox, said
“I agree with the Planning Committee’s decision to reject the application.
“There was clear public opposition to the proposal made by many very knowledgeable Islanders, and it plainly failed to accord with how the Island should be looking to develop in these greener times.”
Bacon: Totally and utterly inappropriate for the Island
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Heritage, said:
“I am very pleased that the Planning Committee voted to reject the application made by UKOG to drill for oil in Arreton. The proposal was totally and utterly inappropriate for the Island as it ran entirely counter to our status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, our Tourist industry, our Climate Change Policy and all that we love and want to preserve in our local environment.
“The argument that new drilling for oil could in anyway stand alongside these things was exposed as wholly without substance. When asked to explain the economic benefits alluded to by UKOG the planning officers were unable to offer any substantiation or detail.
“However, what was shown and remained unchallenged was that the proposal would, at most, have led to the possibility of just a few days oil production, whereas it was clearly established that serious environmental harm would have resulted.”
Peacey-Wilcox: Respect and sustain our delicate and fragile Island environment
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox added,
“Going forward we are looking to both respect and sustain our delicate and fragile Island environment.
“We want to take the lead in supporting and welcoming innovation and new technologies to supply our needs for power and energy rather than looking to damaging reliance upon fossil fuels.
“The application by UKOG ran entirely counter to how the Alliance Administration at the council sees the future of the Island.”
Bacon: Pursuing and creating a new greener sustainable future
Cllr Bacon concluded,
“Particularly given the reference to and reliance placed upon our UNESCO Biosphere status by the Planning Committee, I hope that this marks a big step forward and a turning point in us pursuing and creating a new greener sustainable future for the Island, in which we work more than ever to support and protect what we value for future generations.”
