CAMPAIGNERS from Dorset Extinction Rebellion are calling for the proposed oil well near Puddletown to be rejected.

It says that Dorset Council should show leadership over climate change and reject the application following its recognition, last May, of a state of climate and ecological emergency.

Kira Robertson from Extinction Rebellion says that the oil well proposal is inconsistent with the council’s efforts to move towards a more sustainable future for the county.

In a question she hopes to put to Dorset Council today (18th) she says: “We have an opportunity and an obligation to demonstrate leadership – thinking globally about the implications of climate change and acting locally to help address it in our communities.

“In December Dorset Council took the initiative to make a request for ideas from the public to help tackle the task ahead. Around this same time South Western Energy Ltd (SWEL) submitted plans to drill a single vertical oil well near the village of Puddletown.

“This proposal is obviously inconsistent with the Council’s efforts to move towards a more sustainable future for Dorset. It also contradicts the wishes of the Puddletown Parish Council, who have rejected the plan stating it “will have an adverse effect on the natural environment, biodiversity and rich wildlife.” And expressing concerns that the “track” used as access for up to 8 tankers is in fact a public bridleway, already congested from vehicular use.

“The local community have also rejected the idea of drilling for dirty oil on their doorsteps. To date, the planning application has directly received over 100 objections on the council’s website. An online petition has collected more than 800 signatures with paper petitions adding over 100 more.”

She says that Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency have all criticised the application over ecological assessments, especially over the threat of pollution to water supplies, the nearby river Piddle and to the chalk stream, the Devil’s Brook.

Ms Robertson says that the council’s draft four-year plan states: “It is clear that the climate and ecological emergency must inform the council's decisions and actions for the foreseeable future".

If the council approve her formal question for its meeting on Tuesday evening in Dorchester she will ask the authority to demonstrate its leadership and influence and say no to the oil well application.

If the council does accept the question it will give a response to it at the meeting.

A peaceful demonstration by Extinction Rebellion Dorset is planned prior to the February council meeting which starts at 6.30pm in the council chamber at County Hall. The meeting is open to the public, although the council will only allow pre-submitted questions which meet their rules, the deadline for which has now passed.