Europa Oil & Gas has planning permission denied

26th May 2011 11:41

Surrey County Council has spoiled Europa Oil & Gas's plans by refusing planning permission for the UK onshore Holmwood-1 exploration well.The group has a 40% operating interest in the planned prospect, located in the Weald Basin, which has been in the pipeline since the start of 2010. The group has now confirmed these were denied after an "exhaustive review".However, Europa said that a very close voting result, combined with the recommendation by the officers of the Planning Committee to allow the drilling, gives it sufficient justification to appeal the decision "on the grounds that the decision to refuse was not made purely on the facts of the case."Managing director of Europa, Paul Barrett, said "We believe the proposal submitted to the Council was technically strong, fully supported by the County's own Planning Officers and as such the refusal is thought likely to be overturned on appeal."---BC