Proactive Investors - Union Jack Oil PLC (LON:UJO) and Europa Oil & Gas Holdings (LON:EOG) have given an update regarding the planning status for their Wressle well site.
The companies told investors that North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) will not resist the proposed legal challenge brought in respect of NLC's decision to grant planning consent for the further development of Wressle.
It comes after environmentalists wrote a letter challenging the process undertaken previously.
That proposed challenge stemmed from the council's decision to omit the requirement for data on Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions during the planning approval process.
“Having sought their own legal advice, the Wressle Joint Venture partners have concluded they would not be in a position to defend the proposed legal claim,” the companies said in separate but identical statements.
“As such it is fully expected that the planning consent will be quashed once the court process has concluded.
“The forward plan, on conclusion of the court process, is to seek a new screening opinion from NLC with additional supporting data that details the likely Scope 3 GHG emissions.
“Depending on the outcome of this screening opinion either the existing ‘live’ application would be redetermined by NLC or an Environmental Impact Assessment would be submitted.”
Both companies are key stakeholders in the development, with Europa holding a 30% interest and Union Jack a 40% interest.
They confirmed that ongoing operations and production at the Wressle site are unaffected by this planning process.