1,000 signatures reached
To: DORSET COUNCIL
STOP NEW OIL DRILLING IN PUDDLETOWN
Do not approve the Planning Application WD/D/19/002866 submitted by South Western Energy Limited for a new oil well in Puddletown.
Why is this important?
Across the globe and in the UK itself climate catastrophe is upon us. We are witnessing floods in the UK, reduction of productive farmlands, extreme weather events, uncontrollable fires, a rapid decline in plant and animal life in the UK and around the world.
On May 16th 2019 the Dorset Council recognised a state of Climate Emergency:
“We have an opportunity and an obligation to demonstrate leadership – thinking globally about the implications of climate change and acting locally to help address it in our communities.’’
Many councils and our parliament now recognise a state of Climate Emergency. But invariably business carries on as usual and CO2 is continuing to rise at a terrifying rate. This application, validated by Dorset Council, for drilling a new oil well is a prime example of this inability to grasp the reality we find ourselves in and to act accordingly. We demand that you stand by your stated obligation, show leadership and act locally to prevent the worst ravages of catastrophic climate change.
Furthermore, this planning application directly contravenes the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, Feb 2019) which states that “The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development…meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The environmental objective includes, “mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy.”
Therefore, this application is in direct breach of the NPPF. South Western Energy, Ltd, aspires to produce oil from the proposed well for at least 20 years. The oil would then be trucked with 8 articulated tankers a day from 9:00 to 17:00 to Fawley Oil Refinery, 50 miles away
Please sign this petition and tell Dorset Council to abide by the NPPF, and to act on behalf of the environment and future generations. Do not approve this application. We must act now as we are witnessing ecosystems collapsing worldwide. We must get off fossil fuels and move to a low carbon economy. Dorset Council, you as our elected representatives, work for us. We demand that you stand by your own words, and Government policy. Do not hasten us to our own demise. Say NO to South Western Energy and drilling in Puddletown.
