Oil drilling off the Dorset coast will remain for a month longer than initially planned.
The operation to explore oil reserves by Corillian Energy was meant to last three weeks from the beginning of February this year.
Councillor John Beesley said: “On behalf of Bournemouth Council, I submitted robust objections to the Colter Offshore Oil Exploration Well proposals in February 2018 in response to the Oil and Gas Authority Regulators’ consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).”
“Bournemouth Borough Council were not consulted or invited to comment by OPRED on the time extension, which is deeply disappointing.”
Talking of the new developments, he added: “Bournemouth Borough Council were not consulted or invited to comment by OPRED on the time extension, which is deeply disappointing…We would want to see this operation finalised at the earliest possible opportunity so that risks associated with the operation to our marine environment can be eliminated.”
Environmental Impact
Campaigners have warned of the damaging effects the drilling could have on marine life.
Molly Scott-Cato, South West MEP, has raised concerns previously about the environmental impacts of the oil rig.
Oil drilling off the beautiful Dorset coast. What an obscenity. And where they turned down permission for a wind-farm just three years ago.
Tories are ignorant on energy policy and #ClimateEmergency #KeepItInTheGround pic.twitter.com/HH00DgSQNp
— Molly Scott Cato MEP (@MollyMEP) February 9, 2019
