Revised plans lodged for oil and gas drilling site extension

Revised plans have been lodged for an extension of an oil and gas drilling site in East Yorkshire following a refusal last year.Rathlin Energy (UK) has submitted an application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for an extension to the existing West Newton A (WNA) wellsite.East Riding of Yorkshire’s planning committee previously refused consent for the company’s original proposal in October 2021.The revised plans propose four new wells, down from six, with the site set to be 25 per cent smaller than the original application.The duration of drilling would also be reduced from 24 months to 17.5 months.The new application also includes hedge and tree planting designed to reduce the visual impact of the project.Planning permission is sought for a 25-year period.A planning statement submitted as part of the application said the new proposals “sought to respond to all the reasons for refusal”.The Environment Agency is currently consulting on an application from Rathlin Energy (UK) for the extension. The agency is obliged to determine the environmental permit variation application separately to planning, but?the company?is required to?have?both?planning and environmental permitting approved before operations can commence.?