GREEN Party councillors across Surrey have joined forces to oppose an exploratory drilling plan in Dunsfold.

Guildford and Waverley chair Susan Ryland, Haslemere town councillor Claire Matthes and nine district councillors have fired off an open letter to Surrey’s environment cabinet member Mike Goodman, to say approving the plan would be “irresponsible”.

The application by UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) for a three-year permission to drill close to Dunsfold Park is due to be determined in October.

Neighbouring parish councils Dunsfold, Alfold, Chiddingfold and Witley oppose the plan, as does Waverley Borough Council.

Cllr Goodman welcomed Surrey County Council’s decision to declare a climate change emergency in July.

Objectors were angered by Mr Goodman’s comments to Waverley’s environmental lead Steve Williams concerning UKOG’s bid, saying “there is still a place for locally produced oil and gas for the immediate future”.

Mr Goodman also argued in favour of oil and gas exploration in Surrey on the grounds that it would generate less travel-related carbon emissions and reduce the UK’s reliance on supplies from abroad.

Refuting his arguments in their open letter, Green councillors said national guidance supporting onshore oil and gas in “transition to a low-carbon economy” was ruled unlawful in May 2019 and had been removed.

They wrote: “Unconventional oil or gas, as found in Surrey, is more expensive to extract, higher in emissions, and more environmentally damaging than conventional imported fuel.

“The hydrocarbon extracted in Surrey will be transported in relatively small amounts by lorry over unsuitable and congested roads.

“The only guaranteed way to ensure the carbon remains safely stored away is by leaving our fossil fuel resources under the earth. Anything else would be irresponsible.”