Campaigners who face a fresh fight in the oil-drilling saga at a beauty spot in Biscathorpe have gained the backing of MP Victoria Atkins.

An 11-year campaign to stop the drilling looked to have been won when oil and gas exploration and production giants Egdon Resources decided to decommission the well site in the village.

However, earlier this year, Egdon dropped a new bombshell by submitting a planning application to Lincolnshire County Council to retain the infrastructure at the site, despite previous commitments that it would be restored to agricultural land.

If the proposal is given the go-ahead, it would mean the retention of the site’s compound, hard-standing, earth bunds, fencing, security gates and access track, leaving open the suspicion that Egdon might re-visit its drilling plans in the future.

The campaign to stop oil-drilling at Biscathorpe was won -- thanks to protests like this.

placeholder image — The campaign to stop oil-drilling at Biscathorpe was won -- thanks to protests like this.

The campaign group, SOS Biscathorpe, immediately expressed its alarm – and it has been supported by Ms Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle.

She said: “A number of my constituents are very concerned about the application to retain elements of the previous oil well site at Biscathorpe, despite the expectation that it would be reinstated to its initial condition.

"There are deep concerns about the environmental impact of this, given the location within the Wolds National Landscape, as well as what this could mean for the future of the area.”

It is not known when the county council will make a decision on the proposal. At present, its website says the status of the application is ‘out for consultation’.

MP Victoria Atkins, who has objected to a fresh planning application by oil giants Egdon Resources.

Ms Atkins has written a letter to Coun Sean Matthews, the Reform UK leader of the county council. It reads:

"I am concerned to hear that Egdon is seeking permission to not clear up the infrastructure already established on the site, despite its application for drilling being refused and the expectation that the area be returned to its original condition.

“My objections, and those of my constituents, are based on the following considerations:

“ENVIRONMENTAL context – this site is located within the Wolds National Landscape (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and the permanent retention of this footprint would irreparably damage the character of this protected landscape.

“FUTURE precedent – local residents are deeply concerned that the intention behind maintaining this infrastructure is to provide a foundation for future, expanded development.

“AVOIDANCE of restoration – the developer's justification that retaining the infrastructure avoids the 738 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements required in restoration is insufficient. The impact of traffic must have been anticipated during the initial application process, so allowing the developer to bypass this requirement by the back door is unacceptable.

“INADEQUACY of proposed mitigation measures – the developer has proposed the planting of a new hedgerow to meet biodiversity net gain requirements, citing a similar approach at a site near Newark as precedent. My constituents and I would contend that a new hedgerow is an inadequate substitute for the full restoration of the site, especially given the area’s prominence as a National Landscapе.

“CONCERNS about pre-determination – a number of constituents have concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process and would appreciate clarity on the decision reached.

“Given the significant public interest in this case and the potential for long-term harm to a protected National Landscape, I urge the planning committee to refuse this application.”