The Strategic and Technical Planning Committee of Dorset Council scheduled a meeting to take place on 23 September 2025. The meeting included discussion of a planning application relating to the Waddock Cross wellsite, and consideration of any urgent items.

Waddock Cross Wellsite

The committee were scheduled to discuss planning application P/VOC/2023/02762 submitted by Mr Paul Foster, which requests permission for the:

Retention of an existing well site for 10 years for oil production from the existing boreholes, Waddock Cross - 2 and Waddock Cross - 3, drilling of a sidetrack well, Waddock Cross - 4, and drilling of two boreholes, Waddock Cross - 5 and Waddock Cross - 6 for the appraisal and production of oil (Variation of condition 2 (Temporary Time Limit) and 3 (Restoration) of 6/2013/0001 in order to retain the wellsite for a further ten years).

The Waddock Cross Wellsite is located to the north of the Bovington Road (C80), 350m east of Waddock crossroad. The nearest residential properties are located south of Waddock Cross, with Waddock Farm the closest at approximately 450m from the beam pumps¹.

The report pack notes that the application was going to committee due to an objection from Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle Parish Council.

Background

The Waddock Cross oilfield was discovered in 1982 by Gas Council (Exploration) Ltd (British Gas). The applicant took over the site in 2003 and drilled WX-2, followed by WX-3 in 2008. In 2013, full planning permission was granted for a 10 year period of oil production, including the drilling of a side track well from WX-3 and two new boreholes for further appraisal. Production began in 2013 but the site was shut in 2014 due to high water cut. The applicant has undertaken evaluation work that has shown that with further development of the site, commercial production could be re-established. The current application seeks to extend the time period for the extant permission 6/2013/0001 for a further 10 years and delay restoration so the site can remain in its current use.

Key Issues

The report pack identifies the key planning issues as:

• Principle of development
• Climate change
• Biodiversity
• Biodiversity net gain
• Landscape
• Highways

The report pack notes that extending the duration of the development until 2033 would be within the transition period towards net zero[^3] in 2050 and would be acceptable in principle. It also notes that while there is an acknowledged contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, both directly and indirectly, the effects of the proposal on climate change are not considered significant on a county or UK level. The proposal, along with biodiversity mitigation and enhancement secured by condition, would not adversely affect biodiversity on and around the site. The addition of close boarded fencing on the eastern and southern side of the application site would preserve the landscape character of the area. Traffic movements would be low and would not adversely impact upon highway capacity or safety.

Recommendation

The report pack recommends that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.