Responding to the news that the developer of the Horse Hill project in Surrey has finally ended oil extraction, four months after planning permission was quashed by the Supreme Court, Niall Toru, lawyer at Friends of the Earth, said:

“We are thrilled the developer of the Horse Hill project finally suspended oil drilling at the site. This is much owed to the tireless efforts of local activists who have kept up pressure against the development after many years of campaigning. The fact it went unchecked for four months raises serious questions for Surrey County Council.

“Having issued our legal complaint to the council last week, Friends of the Earth is proud to have again stood alongside communities facing off the threat of damaging fossil fuel developments where they live. We hope this signals the end of the Horse Hill development once and for all.”