A petition signed by over 4,400 people against oil drilling on the Isle of Wight was delivered to County Hall in Newport on Tuesday afternoon.
Susan Betts, on behalf of Blue Seas Protection, handed over the papers to Councillor Paul Fuller and Councillor Jonathan Bacon, with a group of concerned members of public in attendance.
The Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee is meeting next Tuesday to consider an application by UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) to drill for oil in the centre of the Island, just outside of Arreton. The meeting papers indicate that Planning Officers are recommending conditional approval.
On handing in the petition, Susan Betts said:
“The Isle of Wight cannot afford to have its freshwater drinking supply at risk of contamination by this proposed oil drilling. During the drilling process, high strength acids and chemicals will be forced into the rock to get to the oil below our aquifers.
“The council should reject UKOG’s planning application. Oil drilling would contribute to the destruction of the natural environment on the Isle of Wight, put our source of drinking water at risk and would rapidly increase the impact of climate change.”
Campaigners have been preparing for over 5 years to fight the planning application.
put our source of drinking water at risk and would rapidly increase the impact of climate change.”
…….
not exactly well informed are they – all the islands water is brought across from the mainland by a pipeline under the solent.
And, just HOW MANY of these people objected to the proposals for wind turbines to be installed on land and offshore of the island?
Having your cake and eating it springs to mind…
Regrettably, energy sources, even in the immediate short-term need to be utilised whilst suitable RELIABLE and eco-friendly sustainable sources are developed and built.
global oil and coal consumption is increasing, and another gas delivery pipe is about to come on stream from Russia to europe, maybe we need to face the fact that fossil fuels are not going away anytime soon. I doubt if whatever is at Arreton will make the island a major oil exporter, although it might just justify that imaginary fixed link if it did!
rapidly increase the impact of climate change.”
more drivel from them – did they all drive to county hall in their petrol powered cars. Are they that daft, as they quite happy to continue to make use of oil and petroleum based products, with oil imported from other countries.
one oil based fact…Unless you make it a point to wear only 100% wool or cotton, you most likely have a drawer/wardrobe full of polyester clothing. Polyester is a synthetic petroleum fiber incorporated into 60% of clothing worldwide. Unlike cotton products, polyester is not biodegradable.
Wonder if they drove to Newport in the petrol/diesel car.
4000 Nimby’s who need the oil as long as not near them
just drill it. WE NEED IT
Good sentiments, but the council don’t listen to anyone with a petition, look at what happened with the Ryde Interchange.
I don’t think all are drinking water comes from the mainland at Niton we have a reservoir on high hat and one on st catherines down high hat is a chalk hill so the water percolates down to a pumping station at st lawrence then pumped back up to the reservoir and from there to st caths reservoir pure water filtered through chalk
where do these people think plastic comes from
I would image that the decision was made a long time ago, and if it wasn’t, i do not think they will refuse it.
THIS WILL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF INTEREST AS DID THE ALTERATIONS TO RYDE SEAFRONT , TIME THE IWCC TOOK NOTICE OF THE RATEPAYERS OF THE ISLAND
The only time they pretend to listen, is when the public viewpoint happens to coincide with what they were going to do anyway.
Then they can say they listen, but they don’t and it isn’t often that the two views coincide
No need to SHOUT.
The same people that panic buy petrol no doubt
Wow, so you know every single one of the petitioners? You impress me.
Unless all of these people can categorically state that they don’t use any petroleum based or derived products then it does, unfortunately, make them all hypocrites and part of the NIMBY brigade.
Perhaps they should have thought of this before turning up at County Hall wearing lycra or fleeces to hand over their petition about drilling for oil?
Bet they drive petrol/diesel cars.
None of this excitement in 06 with the rig in Whitehouse Road.
I bet these people complain when they go to the garage to fill up that there is no petrol.
I would have signed if I knew there was one. They need to do a better job of advertising it.
They need to get theirs facts right regarding the fresh water !
Look at them outside county hall wearing their fleeces
no oil no warm fleeces!
Drilling will be a benefit for the Isle of White, people wont even notice they exist, a few nodding donkeys behind some trees hidden from visibility