Biscathorpe: 'National need' for oil justifies drilling decision

A planning inspector has upheld an appeal to allow drilling for oil in the Lincolnshire Wolds, despite finding the development would harm the landscape.

Egdon Resources appealed against a decision by Lincolnshire County Council to refuse permission for the site near the village of Biscathorpe.

The firm said it could draw 30 million barrels of oil from the site and provide supplies for 15 years,

Opponents said it would damage an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

A hearing by the Planning Inspectorate was held in October 2022 after the original plans were turned down, with the council citing concerns over the impact on the landscape and the uncertainty over the project's timescale as reasons for refusal.

Local Conservative MP Victoria Atkins, Natural England, Historic England, five nearby parish councils and other organisations also objected to the plans.

The company said it had previously drilled at the site near Louth in 2018 with little impact.

In a ruling published on Friday, planning inspector Paul Thompson said the "national need" for oil production meant the proposed development was in "the public interest", despite it having "an adverse impact on the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB".

Mr Thompson also imposed a number of conditions, including that drilling should stop before the end of November 2039, and the site be returned to its previous use as agricultural land or wildlife habitat.

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