Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 A leak has been discovered in the oil pipeline between Weston Common, Humbly Grove Oilfield and the Holybourne oil terminal, caused by corrosion. Consequently it is proposed to vary Condition 5 of the planning permission to allow the transport of oil by road tanker for a temporary period of six months to allow for full examination and repair of the pipeline. It is considered reasonable to allow the export of oil by road tanker from Weston Common during this period to maintain oilfield production, therefore it is recommended that planning permission be granted.

2. Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of proposed variation of Condition 5 of planning permission BDB46946, F26326/9/CMA, 00/00024/CMA to allow the export of oil from the site by road tanker rather than pipeline for a temporary period of six months at Humbly Grove Oilfield, Weston Common, The Avenue, Lasham (Application No. BDB/68613) be granted for the following reason, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (summary attached in Appendix 2) as ancillary development within the oilfield, and as it is for a temporary period it would not materially harm the character of the area or the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety and convenience.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, comprises an area of 0.4 hectares within the Weston Common wellsite. This is the main operational centre of the Humbly Grove Oilfield containing gas processing facilities, oil producing facilities, offices and control buildings. The Oilfield has operated since 1984, permission was granted for the gas storage infrastructure in 2003 and the site has planning permission until 2025. The Weston Common site is located within woodland, which is also a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC), the nearest houses are about 500 metres away, and access is via The Avenue.

3.2 The proposal is for a variation of Condition 5 of the planning permission for the Humbly Grove Oilfield (BDB46946, F26326/9/CMA 00/00024/CMA dated 14 April 2000). This condition states:

"With the exception of the Herriard X wellsite, there shall be no transport of oil by road tanker except as may be required for the short term testing of new wells. The duration of short term tests shall be agreed in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity."

3.3 The proposal is to allow export by road tanker from Weston Common to Holybourne for a temporary period of six months. The reason for this is that a leak has been discovered in the pipeline between these sites. Therefore it has to be shut down to allow for investigation and remediation. The period of six months is considered adequate to rectify the problem and bring the pipeline back into use. The proposals are for a maximum of four tankers per day generating 8 movements (4 movements out and 4 movements in).

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (2007) Policy DC22 concerns ancillary plant and proposals at active sites.

5. Consultations

5.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council - comments awaited.

5.2 Environmental Health Officer, Basingstoke District Council, raises no objection.

5.3 Environment Agency raises no objection.

5.4 Highways Authority raises no objection subject to conditions requiring all HGV traffic to enter The Avenue via the A339 and maintenance of visibility splays at the junction of the access road with The Avenue.

5.5 Herriard Parish Council - comments awaited.

5.6 Lasham Airfield raises no objection.

5.7 TARA (The Avenue Residents Association) comment that if the pipe is corroding it needs to be replaced along its entire length, it is therefore extremely important that if permission is granted it is strictly temporary and not granted beyond this initial six month period. Object to the application and believe the pipeline should be repaired or replaced urgently.

5.8 Councillors Anna McNair-Scott, Kemp-Gee and Glen have been informed. Express concern that the breakdown of the pipeline has necessitated additional lorry movements.

6. Representations

6.1 One letter received from a local resident making same comments as TARA.

7. Commentary

7.1 Having discovered that there is a leak in the pipeline caused by corrosion, there needs to be a full examination of the pipeline to ensure there are no other leaks and subsequently works carried out to the pipeline to remedy any defects. It is considered a six month period would be sufficient to carry out these works and for the pipeline to return to operation. The low level of tanker traffic associated with the export would not have a significant impact for local road users for this short period. Therefore it is considered that it would be reasonable to allow the export of oil by road tanker from Weston Common during this period to maintain oilfield production.

1720/PDC

APPENDIX 1

Conditions

(5) With the exception of the Herriard X wellsite, there shall be no transport of oil by road tanker except as may be required for the short term testing of new wells and for the period to 31 December 2008 whilst the pipeline is under repair. The duration of short term tests shall be agreed in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

APPENDIX 2

Annexe to Reasons for Conditions

(as required by Article 22 of the Town and Country Planning

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

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Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD 2007

Policy DC22 - Additional Plant, Buildings and Minor Development

Additional plant, buildings and minor developments at active minerals and waste sites, or the exploration of minerals (except oil and gas), will be permitted provided, where appropriate, they do not extend the timescale for completion of the development , they are ancillary to the operation of the site or they provide for the co-location of complementary minerals and waste activities.