AN OIL firm has submitted an image showing what a proposed drilling rig off Studland could look like from Bournemouth beach.

The picture was produced after a request was made by the borough council for more information from Corallian about the impact the rig could have on the coast.

Members of Bournemouth's planning policy steering group recently considered an environmental report prepared by the oil exploration firm.

All councils around the bay are entitled to comment on the scheme, and Bournemouth council has already suggested the presence of a 100m high jack-up drilling rig in the bay, potentially in sight of the coast, could damage its tourism industry.

The meeting heard the well is planned to be in place for "up to 45 days", "between mid-April and June, and September and December, avoiding the main tourist season".

Group member Angela Pooley, of Bournemouth 2026 Trust, said: "I don't believe there is enough emphasis, and I am not trying to frighten people, on the potential for oil spillage.

"Now I know the risk is low, but there is a real risk.

"There should be more emphasis on mitigation."

Ms Pooley also called for more information from the company on how deep it plans to drill, expressing concern that there may be shale deposits beneath the sandstone that makes up most of Poole Bay's bedrock, leading to applications for fracking.

Cllr John Beesley said the council should "get our defence in early" to ensure that approval for a temporary well was not taken to be consent for a permanent well in future.

Planning officer Andrew England said the company would have to submit a further application for any permanent drilling at the site.

Cllr Don McQueen, a former petroleum engineer for Shell, said the current proposal was specifically for a temporary appraisal well aimed at precisely locating the already-discovered oil reservoir, although he warned that many such operations overrun their allotted time.

He said the risk of an oil spillage was "extraordinarily unlikely" and a bigger concern was a potential spillage of drilling fluid, or 'mud', which is pumped down the shaft to lubricate the drill and carry away debris.

Members agreed the firm's environment statement should be clear about what mitigation measures will be in place to manage and dispose of any drilling fluid spillage, and include more detail about the depth of the drilling.