Environment Agency and AONB planning officer have submitted their comments on the application for an exploratory oil well pad on the Isle of Wight

Anti-oil drilling campaigners on the Isle of Wight received national support during an online meeting last night, with advice and encouragement from successful challenges against fossil fuel exploration in the North of England

Concerns about what would happen if UKOG do find oil; discrepancies in planning documents; issues with water; traffic and dangerous roads were all raised at the parish council meeting

Campaigners say the entire process is being left to virtual meetings and social media - "and yet will determine the future of acres of countryside at the heart of the Isle of Wight for twenty years or more"

At the Surrey County Council planning meeting today (Monday), the application was rejected six votes to five and UKOG's share price dived within minutes.

The Don't Drill the Wight campaign was launched on Saturday to an audience of around 50 people in Merstone

The application for an exploratory well pad is currently under public consultation, but inconsistencies and discrepancies in the way the application has been advertised have been raised

Local woodcarvers and heritage experts will all be involved, as they work to bring the site at Merstone's former station back to life.

Traffic is being diverted whilst emergency water main repairs take place.

If you were planning to drive on Bury Lane in Merstone, you'll have to follow the diversion during emergency water main repair work.

Following criticism from the planning committee of the parish council having not carried out a housing needs survey, residents are doing it themselves ahead of the Inspectorate's appeal hearing.