Alton Climate Action Network (ACAN) has objected to planning applications to extend the operational life of Humbly Grove Oilfield near Alton.

Humbly Grove Energy owns and operates the oilfield. Natural gas and oil have been produced there since the early 1980s, and it also has a gas storage facility.

A number of planning applications were submitted to Hampshire County Council in November 2024, seeking permission to vary and extend the life of the existing consented operations for oil and gas production and gas storage, from the current cessation date of September 30, 2025 to a new date of September 30, 2055.

ACAN has submitted what is describes as “a reasoned objection” to Humbly Grove Energy’s applications for planning permission.

ACAN’s main objection to the applications is the timescale of 30 years. An ACAN spokesperson said: “Hampshire County Council is committed to addressing the climate crisis and, following the recent declaration by the United Nations that 2024 was the hottest year on record, must be aware that government changes to climate policy are extremely likely in the next few years.

“We therefore submit that for Hampshire County Council to sanction any more than a five-year extension of operations at Humbly Grove is irresponsible and ill advised. For Hampshire County Council to grant this application for the full 30 years requested will reduce the council’s ability to respond flexibly to the fast-changing climate policy landscape.”

In June 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that Surrey County Council acted unlawfully by granting planning permission for oil production at Horse Hill in the Surrey countryside without considering the climate impact when the oil was burned.

ACAN said it “must assume that the same rule would apply to the Humbly Grove application”.

To view the planning applications visit https://humblyenergy.consultationonline.co.uk/ and to view ACAN’s objection visit https://tinyurl.com/bddr4fej