Stop The Drill protesters dismantle Woodburn protest camp

Stop the Drill says it has dismantled its protest camp at Woodburn Forest after the consortium behind the controversial exploratory drill left last week.

The consortium, led by InfraStrata, moved the last of its machinery off the site near Carrickfergus on Thursday, six months after it moved in. It announced in June that it would be leaving the drill site, close to a drinking water reservoir, after no oil nor gas were found.

InfraStrata was originally due to reinstate and exit the borehole site by August 8 but was granted two extensions to the deadline by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, which cited the July holidays and the wet weather for this decision.

Last night, the Stop The Drill campaign said it had closed its base camp over the weekend and was delighted that the site had been returned to those who love it.

The campaigners said they hope to secure a change in the legislation that allowed the drill to happen.

InfraStrata was not required to apply for planning permission to drill a borehole at the forest site but instead carried out the work under permitted development rights.

The decision by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to give the project the go-ahead is being challenged in the High Court later this month by a local resident.

Stop the Drill said Part 16 of the Planning (General Permitted Development ) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (GDO) must be removed.

“The current legislation is undemocratic, outdated and an unfair piece of legislation which allows clandestine decisions to be taken behind closed doors between officials and the industry and excludes those most likely to be affected,” a spokesperson said.

“It is contrary to the promotion of sustainable development and undermines the foundational principles of transparency and participation in decision making.

“We are strongly of the view that the retention of Part 16 will only lead to future conflict between local authorities, elected decision makers and the citizens they represent.”

The campaigners thanked all the people who helped with the clean-up of their base camp and those who maintained a rota monitoring and recording the activity taking place at the forest.

“We are delighted that this part of Woodburn has been returned to those who love it. It is wonderful to feel like the forest is ours again, just to stand and breathe and take in the view,” the spokesperson said.

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster but the silver lining was the camaraderie, the resilience, the love, digging deep, pushing limits and proof that a small group of fantastic people can achieve so much.

“The camp may be gone but the spirit of Woodburn lives on. We’ve learned that people can make change, challenge decision makers, win hearts and minds and create a better future for all.”

The campaigners said they have lots of plans to ensure Woodburn Forest is replanted and protected for future generations.