Public comments on proposed oil well near Dorchester to come to close

The application to drill a vertical oil well just off the A354 Puddletown to Blandford road a mile north of historic Athelhampton House was first submitted in December 2019 by South Western Energy Ltd (SWEL).

READ MORE: Dorset oil rig could work for 25 years if approved

The location of the Puddletown Pilot Production Well. Picture: South Western Energy

Recently, six new planning documents have been added to the application, which extended the period for the public to comment on the proposed development. People have until today, Wednesday, to add their comments.

Campaigners have urged members of the public to add their comments to the application for an exploratory rig.

If plans are approved and sufficient oil is found, an oil well could be in operation for up to 25 years.

Image of the existing site (looking to the south)

Campaign group Fossil Fuel Free Dorset (FFFD) has said allowing the proposal would be incompatible with the Government’s Net Zero Strategy and last year’s warnings from the International Energy Agency that no new oil is needed anywhere from 2021 onwards.

Julie-Ann Booker from FFFD, said: "Drilling for oil in the heart of the Dorset countryside when we know our climate is dangerously close to irreversible tipping points is so unnecessary.

"It won’t add to our energy security and will provide little local employment."

Impression of the appearance of the production site

The applicant states the area has a long history of oil and gas exploration and production.

If approved, there will be around 15 people employed - mainly contractors along with a geologist. Wherever possible, local services and suppliers will be used to help create and maintain local jobs, according to South Western Energy.

The new documents added to the application include a Climate Change Assessment, Ecological Assessment, Heritage Assessment, Hydrological Assessment, a Restoration Scheme, and an Environmental Health Response.

The Climate Change Assessment states a control and management of vehicle movements will be in place to minimise emissions generated from traffic. This will be done through a pipeline running from the site to Fawley refinery.

The Ecological Assessment states a walkover of the site prior to any construction will take place between spring and autumn to ensure no ground nesting birds are breeding, and that there are no reptiles or amphibians present.

In the planning application the company has made note of a number of heritage concerns, which lie within two miles of the proposed well site. These include Burleston Down, a site of local importance for nature, Athelhampton, and the deserted village of Bardolfeston, a scheduled ancient monument.

To reduce impact on the surrounding area during each phase of the development, machinery and equipment would be removed from site that is no longer required. Furthermore, it is said that work hours will be limited to certain times of the day.