AN ANTICIPATED debate of plans by UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) for a new drilling site near Dunsfold has been postponed.

Surrey County Council’s planning committee was set to determine the controversial application at its first virtual meeting on Thursday last week.

But at the 11th hour the meeting was postponed until the end of June, “to ensure all legal requirements are met”.

A council statement added: “Specifically, the council needs to take steps to ensure that all background documents are accessible available online.”

Councillors have also been unable to undertake a visit of the proposed drilling site – although this is not a legal requirement.

Surrey officers had recommended that the application be approved – but Waverley Borough Council, a statutory consultee, has strongly opposed it.

Around 80 per cent of the 469 members of the public to comment on the application also opposed the UKOG plans, as have Dunsfold, Bramley, Alford, Witley and Cranleigh parish councils.

Most concerns relate to an influx of construction traffic in the rural area south of Godalming.