Judge rejects challenge to Surrey Hills oil and gas exploration plans

Campaigners lose judicial review of decision to approve plan by UK Oil & Gas to drill on agricultural land

Fossil fuel prospectors have cleared another hurdle on their path to drill for oil and gas near an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in the Surrey Hills after campaigners lost a judicial review of the plan.

Opponents of the plan to sink an exploration well near the village of Dunsfold argued it was inconsistent with a decision to refuse a similar application on the basis of the greenhouse gas emissions it would produce.