A PETITION has been launched opposing plans investigate oil and gas at Avington.

As reported in the Chronicle last month, the proposal, from IGas Energy Ltd, is for the 'retention of wellsite and existing surface and sub-surface infrastructure for a further period of five years in order to allow for further appraisal of oil and gas'.

The scheme has been controversial, with opposition from local climate groups WinACC and Extinction Rebellion.

A petition has now been launched by the local Liberal Democrats. 

READ MORE: Winchester oil appraisal plans slammed by WinACC

Danny Chambers, Winchester Lib Dem election candidate, said: “This Conservative government has disgracefully railroaded through this new oil drilling site despite local opposition. 

“It is horrifying to think our national park is set to become an oil field again. 

“People in Winchester have been ignored and taken for granted by Conservative ministers. Whether it's allowing raw sewage dumping in our rivers or allowing oil drilling in our national park, the Conservatives have stopped even pretending to care about our local environment.

“We need to put an end to this oil field. An online petition has been started and local groups are already rallying to force a government u-turn.”

Winchester MP Steve Brine told The Guardian he was concerned at the idea of the drilling taking place amid local opposition.

Mr Brine said: “Given it’s, rightly, rather hard to do anything in a national park including scale up a really well-run summer festival, it doesn’t sit well you can secure permission to drill for oil.

“If there’s a wish from landowner and applicant to do this, given the sensitivities, it should only be possible with some form of local consent and right now I don’t see that.”

SEE ALSO: Winchester oil appraisal plans protest by Extinction Rebellion

A spokesman for IGas Energy Ltd owner Star Energy Group Plc previously said: “There is no question the UK will continue to need oil, we are not currently in a position to rely solely on renewable energy sources. UK produced oil offers emissions savings over five of its top six suppliers and imports do not offer the economic, environmental or geopolitical benefits offered by domestic production. 

“The Avington site is an existing site that already contains all the infrastructure required for the proposed oil exploration. It is not our intention to detract from the experiential qualities of the National Park. Indeed, at appeal, the planning inspector commented on our plans for the site: 'I find that the proposed development would conserve and enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the National Park'.

“In respect of emissions, all UK onshore oil and gas sites must receive a permit from the environment agency in order to operate. The permit includes a gas management plan detailing how the site will minimise the impact on the environment. UK regulations for gas management are very strict which can include planned emissions releases. These are typically very low in volume and in the case of Avington, are equivalent to the annual methane emissions of eight cows.”