Weald Action Group
@wealdactiongroup.bsky.social
A collaboration of grassroots groups and campaigners against all forms of fossil fuel extraction across The Weald & UK Southeast.
The UK onshore industry drilled no oil and gas wells during 2025. This is just the second time in more than 100 years that no onshore wells were drilled in a calendar year.
We are winning.
Reporting by @drillordrop.bsky.social
drillordrop.com/2026/01/01/w...
We are winning.
Reporting by @drillordrop.bsky.social
drillordrop.com/2026/01/01/w...
Who drilled where in 2025?
The UK onshore industry drilled no oil and gas wells during 2025, according to official data.
drillordrop.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The UK onshore industry drilled no oil and gas wells during 2025. This is just the second time in more than 100 years that no onshore wells were drilled in a calendar year.
We are winning.
Reporting by @drillordrop.bsky.social
drillordrop.com/2026/01/01/w...
We are winning.
Reporting by @drillordrop.bsky.social
drillordrop.com/2026/01/01/w...
Happy new year!
2025 was quite a year for us. We saw continuing impacts of our 2024 Supreme Court win, and renewed debate on the vexed definition of fracking. And we started work on a new campaign on methane.
Read the highlights: www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/12/2025...
(Photo: Uplift)
2025 was quite a year for us. We saw continuing impacts of our 2024 Supreme Court win, and renewed debate on the vexed definition of fracking. And we started work on a new campaign on methane.
Read the highlights: www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/12/2025...
(Photo: Uplift)
January 1, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Happy new year!
2025 was quite a year for us. We saw continuing impacts of our 2024 Supreme Court win, and renewed debate on the vexed definition of fracking. And we started work on a new campaign on methane.
Read the highlights: www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/12/2025...
(Photo: Uplift)
2025 was quite a year for us. We saw continuing impacts of our 2024 Supreme Court win, and renewed debate on the vexed definition of fracking. And we started work on a new campaign on methane.
Read the highlights: www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/12/2025...
(Photo: Uplift)
Merry Christmas Drill or Drop! Thank you for all your great work over the year (and every year).
Everyone interested in onshore oil & gas, follow @drillordrop.bsky.social for incisive reporting on all aspects of the industry, and the fight against it.
Everyone interested in onshore oil & gas, follow @drillordrop.bsky.social for incisive reporting on all aspects of the industry, and the fight against it.
December 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Merry Christmas Drill or Drop! Thank you for all your great work over the year (and every year).
Everyone interested in onshore oil & gas, follow @drillordrop.bsky.social for incisive reporting on all aspects of the industry, and the fight against it.
Everyone interested in onshore oil & gas, follow @drillordrop.bsky.social for incisive reporting on all aspects of the industry, and the fight against it.
Ban small-scale fracking for onshore oil and gas!
This petition by Burniston campaigners already triggered a parliamentary debate. Please show the strength of feeling on this issue by signing it and sharing in your networks.
Closing date 4 January 2026
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
This petition by Burniston campaigners already triggered a parliamentary debate. Please show the strength of feeling on this issue by signing it and sharing in your networks.
Closing date 4 January 2026
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Petition: Ban "small-scale fracking" for onshore oil and gas
Fracking forces fluid into rocks to open cracks so oil or gas can flow out. It was banned in 2019 after being blamed for causing earthquakes in shale gas drilling. But the ban only covers fracking wit...
petition.parliament.uk
December 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Ban small-scale fracking for onshore oil and gas!
This petition by Burniston campaigners already triggered a parliamentary debate. Please show the strength of feeling on this issue by signing it and sharing in your networks.
Closing date 4 January 2026
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
This petition by Burniston campaigners already triggered a parliamentary debate. Please show the strength of feeling on this issue by signing it and sharing in your networks.
Closing date 4 January 2026
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Surprise Surprise, UKOG have *still* not come forward with their revised application for Horse Hill. “We can expect that now in the early part of the new year...”
Do @surreycc.gov.uk realise UKOG is just stringing them along to avoid restoring the site (as they are doing at Broadford Bridge)?
Do @surreycc.gov.uk realise UKOG is just stringing them along to avoid restoring the site (as they are doing at Broadford Bridge)?
Key information that will determine the future of the Horse Hill oil site in Surrey has been delayed, officials have revealed.
drillordrop.com/2025/12/17/h...
drillordrop.com/2025/12/17/h...
Horse Hill – key details delayed
Key information that will determine the future of the Horse Hill oil site in Surrey has been delayed, officials have revealed.
drillordrop.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Surprise Surprise, UKOG have *still* not come forward with their revised application for Horse Hill. “We can expect that now in the early part of the new year...”
Do @surreycc.gov.uk realise UKOG is just stringing them along to avoid restoring the site (as they are doing at Broadford Bridge)?
Do @surreycc.gov.uk realise UKOG is just stringing them along to avoid restoring the site (as they are doing at Broadford Bridge)?
Two oil companies drop their appeal against the refusal of planning permission to produce oil at Biscathorpe.
Just a week after receiving objections from us, @sosbiscathorpe.bsky.social and others.
The industry is realising there is no justification for investment in onshore oil and gas.
Just a week after receiving objections from us, @sosbiscathorpe.bsky.social and others.
The industry is realising there is no justification for investment in onshore oil and gas.
Breaking: Oil companies drop Biscathorpe appeal - Partners seeking to produce oil in the protected Lincolnshire Wolds have abandoned their challenge to the refusal of planning permission, a formal statement announced this morning.
drillordrop.com/2025/12/15/b...
drillordrop.com/2025/12/15/b...
Breaking: Oil companies drop Biscathorpe appeal
Partners seeking to produce oil in the protected Lincolnshire Wolds have abandoned their challenge to the refusal of planning permission, a formal statement announced this morning.
drillordrop.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Two oil companies drop their appeal against the refusal of planning permission to produce oil at Biscathorpe.
Just a week after receiving objections from us, @sosbiscathorpe.bsky.social and others.
The industry is realising there is no justification for investment in onshore oil and gas.
Just a week after receiving objections from us, @sosbiscathorpe.bsky.social and others.
The industry is realising there is no justification for investment in onshore oil and gas.
Reposted by Weald Action Group
After five years of setbacks, Sarah Finch finally won.
Her message isn’t about easy victories. It’s about persistence and believing that one action can trigger a tipping point in the right direction.
Hear Sarah’s story on the EQUALS Podcast: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
#ClimateJustice
Her message isn’t about easy victories. It’s about persistence and believing that one action can trigger a tipping point in the right direction.
Hear Sarah’s story on the EQUALS Podcast: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
#ClimateJustice
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 PM
After five years of setbacks, Sarah Finch finally won.
Her message isn’t about easy victories. It’s about persistence and believing that one action can trigger a tipping point in the right direction.
Hear Sarah’s story on the EQUALS Podcast: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
#ClimateJustice
Her message isn’t about easy victories. It’s about persistence and believing that one action can trigger a tipping point in the right direction.
Hear Sarah’s story on the EQUALS Podcast: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
#ClimateJustice
We sent a damning response to the consultation on the Rosebank oil field.
Rosebank's oil could generate 254 million tonnes of CO₂e equivalent over its lifetime. Equinor's claim this would "not cause significant harm" is dishonest.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/11/weal...
Rosebank's oil could generate 254 million tonnes of CO₂e equivalent over its lifetime. Equinor's claim this would "not cause significant harm" is dishonest.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/11/weal...
Weald Action Group response to the consultation on Rosebank – Weald Action Group
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
We sent a damning response to the consultation on the Rosebank oil field.
Rosebank's oil could generate 254 million tonnes of CO₂e equivalent over its lifetime. Equinor's claim this would "not cause significant harm" is dishonest.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/11/weal...
Rosebank's oil could generate 254 million tonnes of CO₂e equivalent over its lifetime. Equinor's claim this would "not cause significant harm" is dishonest.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/11/weal...
Reposted by Weald Action Group
Are you a member of a trade union?
Trade unionists are calling on the Labour government to do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and refuse approval for the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field.
Sign the open letter 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Trade unionists are calling on the Labour government to do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and refuse approval for the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field.
Sign the open letter 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Trade unionists say: Stop Rosebank!
If you are a trade union member, please add your name to this open letter to oppose approval of the Rosebank oil field. Signatories will be published. There is no strict cut-off point to sign, but we ...
docs.google.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Are you a member of a trade union?
Trade unionists are calling on the Labour government to do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and refuse approval for the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field.
Sign the open letter 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Trade unionists are calling on the Labour government to do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and refuse approval for the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field.
Sign the open letter 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Listen to Sarah Finch talk about how we made history in the Supreme Court, forcing fossil fuel companies to face the full climate impact of their projects.
Our win is now facing its biggest test: Rosebank. The govt must reject this climate-wrecking project once and for all
@stopcambo.bsky.social
Our win is now facing its biggest test: Rosebank. The govt must reject this climate-wrecking project once and for all
@stopcambo.bsky.social
New episode is out! 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭
@sarahfinch.bsky.social took Big Oil to court and won. Her landmark Supreme Court case ruling now forces every new fossil fuel project in the UK to face its true climate cost.
Power, persistence, and hope.
🎧 Listen: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
@sarahfinch.bsky.social took Big Oil to court and won. Her landmark Supreme Court case ruling now forces every new fossil fuel project in the UK to face its true climate cost.
Power, persistence, and hope.
🎧 Listen: www.equals.ink/p/a-hopeful-...
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Listen to Sarah Finch talk about how we made history in the Supreme Court, forcing fossil fuel companies to face the full climate impact of their projects.
Our win is now facing its biggest test: Rosebank. The govt must reject this climate-wrecking project once and for all
@stopcambo.bsky.social
Our win is now facing its biggest test: Rosebank. The govt must reject this climate-wrecking project once and for all
@stopcambo.bsky.social
Good news! The govt has published its long-awaited Methane Action Plan.
Bad news! It ignores onshore oil and gas production.
Every year, millions of tonnes of methane are vented, burned, and leaked from UK onshore oil sites
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/10/meth...
Bad news! It ignores onshore oil and gas production.
Every year, millions of tonnes of methane are vented, burned, and leaked from UK onshore oil sites
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/10/meth...
October 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Good news! The govt has published its long-awaited Methane Action Plan.
Bad news! It ignores onshore oil and gas production.
Every year, millions of tonnes of methane are vented, burned, and leaked from UK onshore oil sites
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/10/meth...
Bad news! It ignores onshore oil and gas production.
Every year, millions of tonnes of methane are vented, burned, and leaked from UK onshore oil sites
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/10/meth...
Reposted by Weald Action Group
The facts are clear. Rosebank would help oil giants, not working people or the planet.
We deserve clean, affordable energy that works for everyone
Tell Starmer to back renewables and reject Rosebank👇
actionnetwork.org/forms/the-government-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-equinors-application-for-rosebank
We deserve clean, affordable energy that works for everyone
Tell Starmer to back renewables and reject Rosebank👇
actionnetwork.org/forms/the-government-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-equinors-application-for-rosebank
Decision time: Tell Keir to #StopRosebank
This is the moment we've been building towards: it's final decision time for the UK Government. Equinor is trying to get the new Rosebank oil field re-approved. It's up to us all to convince the Gover...
actionnetwork.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The facts are clear. Rosebank would help oil giants, not working people or the planet.
We deserve clean, affordable energy that works for everyone
Tell Starmer to back renewables and reject Rosebank👇
actionnetwork.org/forms/the-government-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-equinors-application-for-rosebank
We deserve clean, affordable energy that works for everyone
Tell Starmer to back renewables and reject Rosebank👇
actionnetwork.org/forms/the-government-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-equinors-application-for-rosebank
"Until these systemic issues are addressed, planning for onshore energy projects will continue to feel less like a democratic process and more like an endurance test for those who care most about the places they live."
So true. The onshore oil & gas permitting regime needs a thorough overhaul.
So true. The onshore oil & gas permitting regime needs a thorough overhaul.
Guest post: Community challenges with the planning system drillordrop.com/2025/10/28/g...
Guest post: Community challenges with the planning system
David Eddy, chair of Foxholes and Butterwick Parish Council, in North Yorkshire, reports on the challenges facing local communities dealing with oil and gas developments.
drillordrop.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"Until these systemic issues are addressed, planning for onshore energy projects will continue to feel less like a democratic process and more like an endurance test for those who care most about the places they live."
So true. The onshore oil & gas permitting regime needs a thorough overhaul.
So true. The onshore oil & gas permitting regime needs a thorough overhaul.
Reposted by Weald Action Group
Bad idea!
The ability to request judicial review is a vital safeguard against the govt making bad decisions and ignoring environmental rules & agreements.
Without the Aarhus Convention, @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social and I would not have been able to bring our case on oil production at Horse Hill
The ability to request judicial review is a vital safeguard against the govt making bad decisions and ignoring environmental rules & agreements.
Without the Aarhus Convention, @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social and I would not have been able to bring our case on oil production at Horse Hill
📢FOI in the News!
The government is considering leaving the Aarhus Convention, which allows groups to judicially review environmentally damaging proposals without massive costs if they lose.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
#Aarhus #EIR #informationrights #transparency
The government is considering leaving the Aarhus Convention, which allows groups to judicially review environmentally damaging proposals without massive costs if they lose.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
#Aarhus #EIR #informationrights #transparency
Starmer asks Conservative peer to write planning bill to block judicial reviews
Exclusive: One option could be to leave treaty that allows legal claims against projects such as Heathrow expansion
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Bad idea!
The ability to request judicial review is a vital safeguard against the govt making bad decisions and ignoring environmental rules & agreements.
Without the Aarhus Convention, @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social and I would not have been able to bring our case on oil production at Horse Hill
The ability to request judicial review is a vital safeguard against the govt making bad decisions and ignoring environmental rules & agreements.
Without the Aarhus Convention, @wealdactiongroup.bsky.social and I would not have been able to bring our case on oil production at Horse Hill
Reposted by Weald Action Group
ARGH!! A bad and irresponsible decision.
It also goes against the Planning Inspectorate’s advice that the second runway plans should be refused for a number of reasons, including the greenhouse gas emissions.
Glad to know that legal challenges are on the way.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
It also goes against the Planning Inspectorate’s advice that the second runway plans should be refused for a number of reasons, including the greenhouse gas emissions.
Glad to know that legal challenges are on the way.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Gatwick given green light for £2.2bn second runway plan
Heidi Alexander approves expansion to allow 100,000 more flights a year
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
ARGH!! A bad and irresponsible decision.
It also goes against the Planning Inspectorate’s advice that the second runway plans should be refused for a number of reasons, including the greenhouse gas emissions.
Glad to know that legal challenges are on the way.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
It also goes against the Planning Inspectorate’s advice that the second runway plans should be refused for a number of reasons, including the greenhouse gas emissions.
Glad to know that legal challenges are on the way.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
Please sign and share
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/09/add-...
Please sign and share
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/09/add-...
September 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
Please sign and share
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/09/add-...
Please sign and share
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/09/add-...
✍️ Sign our joint letter: tinyurl.com/Cut-Methane-2025
🎯 Cutting methane is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to slow global warming. Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
#climateactionuk
🎯 Cutting methane is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to slow global warming. Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
#climateactionuk
September 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
✍️ Sign our joint letter: tinyurl.com/Cut-Methane-2025
🎯 Cutting methane is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to slow global warming. Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
#climateactionuk
🎯 Cutting methane is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to slow global warming. Urge Ed Miliband & the UK Govt to commit to strong, enforceable rules in the National Methane Action Plan.
#climateactionuk
Very glad to see national organisations take this on. We have argued for years that planning rules for onshore oil & gas should be just as strong as those for offshore.
Nine environmental campaign organisations have urged the government today to end planning policies that favour fossil fuels.
drillordrop.com/2025/09/03/s...
drillordrop.com/2025/09/03/s...
Scrap planning rules that favour onshore oil and gas, environmentalists demand
Nine environmental campaign organisations have urged the government today to end planning policies that favour fossil fuels.
drillordrop.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Very glad to see national organisations take this on. We have argued for years that planning rules for onshore oil & gas should be just as strong as those for offshore.
Nigel Farage’s Reform wants to bring back fracking in England. We need to lock the current ban in law. Sign this @friends_earth petition and tell the Prime Minister: make the fracking ban permanent.
👇
action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
👇
action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
Tell Keir Starmer to make the fracking ban permanent
Nigel Farage's Reform party has declared it wants to “drill baby drill” if it wins the next general election. There’s a temporary pause on fracking in England, but it’s not even written into law. So i...
action.friendsoftheearth.uk
August 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Nigel Farage’s Reform wants to bring back fracking in England. We need to lock the current ban in law. Sign this @friends_earth petition and tell the Prime Minister: make the fracking ban permanent.
👇
action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
👇
action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
Meanwhile, the deputy leader of Reform-led Lancashire County Council says conditions are "not conducive to fracking, and there are no plans for it to take place here". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
August 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Meanwhile, the deputy leader of Reform-led Lancashire County Council says conditions are "not conducive to fracking, and there are no plans for it to take place here". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nobody, apart from a handful of small companies, wants fracking. This article is good on some of the reasons why but neglects to mention climate.
We stand firm in our opposition to all forms of fracking, and to any new oil and gas developments on- or offshore.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We stand firm in our opposition to all forms of fracking, and to any new oil and gas developments on- or offshore.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Get ready for fracking, Reform UK tells energy firms
The party is serious about going after shale gas - but critics argue it's too difficult and costly.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nobody, apart from a handful of small companies, wants fracking. This article is good on some of the reasons why but neglects to mention climate.
We stand firm in our opposition to all forms of fracking, and to any new oil and gas developments on- or offshore.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We stand firm in our opposition to all forms of fracking, and to any new oil and gas developments on- or offshore.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've just signed the open letter to Peter Kyle and @feryalclark.bsky.social at the Department for Science Innovation & Technology calling on Government to reject Drax Power Station's bid to burn even more trees to power Artificial Intelligence Data Centres - no more bungs for biomass! #AxeDrax
July 16, 2025 at 5:01 AM
We've just signed the open letter to Peter Kyle and @feryalclark.bsky.social at the Department for Science Innovation & Technology calling on Government to reject Drax Power Station's bid to burn even more trees to power Artificial Intelligence Data Centres - no more bungs for biomass! #AxeDrax
Very pleased to see this is happening!
A group of MPs is campaigning to stop all forms of fracking in England by including them in the moratorium.
drillordrop.com/2025/06/23/m...
drillordrop.com/2025/06/23/m...
MPs seek block on all forms of fracking
A group of MPs is campaigning to stop all forms of fracking in England by including them in the moratorium.
drillordrop.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Very pleased to see this is happening!
We are so grateful to our amazing legal team, who worked their wigs off on this case: @marcwillerskc.bsky.social of @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social, and @estelledehon.bsky.social and Ruchi Parekh of @cornerstonebarristers.com
So much hard work... and such wonderful results
So much hard work... and such wonderful results
⚖️One year on: Garden Court's Marc Willers KC @marcwillerskc.bsky.social was leading Counsel in Sarah Finch’s successful appeal before the Supreme Court against the decision of Surrey County Council to grant planning permission for oil production in the Surrey Hills.
One year ago today, we won a landmark legal victory. We are so proud of the impact it continues to have.
This blog post reflects on the ways in which our fight against one oil development in Surrey is making the future safer for everyone.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/06/one-...
This blog post reflects on the ways in which our fight against one oil development in Surrey is making the future safer for everyone.
www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2025/06/one-...
June 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
We are so grateful to our amazing legal team, who worked their wigs off on this case: @marcwillerskc.bsky.social of @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social, and @estelledehon.bsky.social and Ruchi Parekh of @cornerstonebarristers.com
So much hard work... and such wonderful results
So much hard work... and such wonderful results
🎉 One Year On – We Won, and We’re Still Winning! 🏆
One year ago today, Weald Action Group made history. We took our case over Environment Impact Assessments to the Supreme Court - and won!
Our victory has forced planning authorities to account for the true climate impact of fossil fuel projects.
One year ago today, Weald Action Group made history. We took our case over Environment Impact Assessments to the Supreme Court - and won!
Our victory has forced planning authorities to account for the true climate impact of fossil fuel projects.
June 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🎉 One Year On – We Won, and We’re Still Winning! 🏆
One year ago today, Weald Action Group made history. We took our case over Environment Impact Assessments to the Supreme Court - and won!
Our victory has forced planning authorities to account for the true climate impact of fossil fuel projects.
One year ago today, Weald Action Group made history. We took our case over Environment Impact Assessments to the Supreme Court - and won!
Our victory has forced planning authorities to account for the true climate impact of fossil fuel projects.