Humbly Grove Energy owns and operates the Humbly Grove Oilfield, near Alton. Natural gas and oil have been produced there since the early 1980s, and the site also has a gas storage facility. A series of planning applications were submitted to Hampshire County Council in November 2024, seeking permission to vary and extend the life of the existing consented operations for oil and gas production and gas storage, from the current cessation date of 30th September 2025 to a new date of 30th September 2055 – a further 30 years. See https://humblyenergy.consultationonline.co.uk/

ACAN has submitted a reasoned objection to Humbly Grove Energy’s applications for planning permission, which can be downloaded here:

ACAN’s main objection to the application is the timescale of 30 years. Hampshire County Council is committed to addressing the climate crisis and, following the recent declaration by the United Nations that 2024 was the hottest year on record, must be aware that government changes to climate policy are extremely likely in the next few years. We therefore submit that for HCC to sanction any more than a 5-year extension of operations at Humbly Grove is irresponsible and ill advised. For HCC to grant this application for the full 30 years requested will reduce the Council’s ability to respond flexibly to the fast-changing climate policy landscape.