As part of the Southampton to London pipeline (SLP), Esso are proposing extensive works across much of Surrey Heath, with 16km of the 97km long pipe running directly under the Borough.
Much of the pipeline follows the same route as the existing one, however, there are significant changes. In Lightwater and West End, the new route will avoid Folly Bog on Brentmoor Heath, and take a new path through Turf Hill. The main reason for this is that much of these sites have now been declared as a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) as they are areas of lowland heath.
With this change, the SLP project will likely result in the loss of almost 200 tree in the Turf Hill area.
Local Councillors for West End and Lightwater - Katia Malcaus Cooper, James Harris and David Mansfield - joined residents as part of the Save Turf Hill campaign, to protest this change and called on the SLP project to ensure that any environmental damage is limited and to commit to ensuring that the area will be preserved as much as possible.
The Surrey Heath Borough Council Local Impact Report on the pipeline can be found here.
Pictured, Katia Malcaus Cooper, James Harris and David Mansfield with residents from West End and Lightwater as part of the Save Turf Hill campaign
