RE: Arreton18 Oct 2021 19:44
Cllr Bacon was speaking after the delivery of a petition, signed by 4,400 people, opposing the UKOG application.
The campaign group, Don’t Drill The Wight, said there had also been more than 3,000 formal objections to the council, including those from the local MP, six parish councils and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. A rally is planned for tomorrow afternoon, before the start of the planning meeting.
There have been no objections to the application from the council’s environmental health team, ecology officer and AONB Partnership. The Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive and Southern Water did not object. Natural England and Historic England made no comments.
Cllr Bacon, who is not a member of the planning committee, said today:
“The strength of public feeling against the proposal before the Planning Committee on Tuesday is clear, both in the number of objections received and the recently delivered petition signed by 4,410 residents.
“It is plain to anyone who recognises what is most important about our Island and who appreciates its natural beauty and fragile geology, that drilling for outdated fossil fuel sources is wrong. However, as with all planning applications, the decision needs to be based on Policy.”
He said planners could not be criticised for referring in their report to government statements that fossil fuels would remain important during the transition to greener energy.
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I wander how strong the local feeling would be if there was no fuels or power supplied to the island from the mainland in future, all industries halted and the lights were turned off?
No objections from those that understand the realities and can balance the decision making process.
There are those who can not or will not be seen to oppose the public pressure as it may well change the lives or livelihoods.
National opinion, Meeting net zero through less imported emissions is of little consequence here. Just not in there back yard with the preference of it being in someone else's.
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