UK Oil and Gas PLC, which had its application to drill for oil near Dunsfiold turned down by Surrey County Council at the end of last year, is to appeal against the decision.

UKOG's appeal will be heard on July 27th.

Waverley Borough Council has thrown its weight behind Surrey County Council, and agreed to stand as a 'critical friend' to Surrey in defending the decision.

Waverley's deputy leader, Paul Follows, said: "Waverley Borough Council have decided to take up its legal right as what is referred to as 'rule 11 party' to take part and fight this appeal too.

"We do this on behalf of those residents and businesses that are directly impacted, but also on behalf of all residents in defence of our natural environment and in line with the values we have declared as part of our climate emergency motion.

"Cllr Liz Townsend, Cllr Steve Williams and I have also been in discussion with a large local residents' group on this matter, Protect Dunsfold, a number of local businesses as well as the local parish councils that are impacted - Alford Parish and Dunsfold Parish.

"We have now reached an in-principle agreement to stand together as a united front in this matter, in which Waverley Borough Council will take the lead as the local authority.

"As this was a minerals planning application, Surrey County Council are the authority UKOG are appealing against - so it is our intention to be a 'critical friend' to Surrey in this matter and ensure that they put up a robust defence of their aspects of this.

"I know many residents will see this is very good news, and I am very proud that we here at Waverley Borough Council will be stepping up to fight this."