The proposed Poole bay oil rig has been described as a ‘reckless gamble’ by MPs and local authorities in Bournemouth and Poole.
A letter has been sent to Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which voices concerns of the impacts of the rig to the bay and Jurassic Coastline.
Signatories include MEPs for the south-west, councillors and TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikov, all of whom agreed that their, ‘main concern is the devastating implications should there be a serious accident’, specifically to the regions tourism industry.
An appreciation was given for the current oil exploration at Wytch Farm in Poole Harbour but that ‘offshore drilling this close to the coast, would be to take an unnecessary and reckless gamble’.
Last year, Carillion Energy said they were putting forward plans to drill oil 6km off Studland, with an Environmental Impact Assessment recently being carried out in the area planned for drilling.
The rig has been met with protests, with the latest one taking place last Saturday on Studland beach.
Simon O’Connor, a protester and environmental campaigner, wanted to make people aware of the ‘real threat’ the rig poses to the area:
