In early August, I went to a public information event about Exxon Mobil’s plan for a pipeline across the Island to carry waste carbon dioxide (CO2) from its Fawley oil refinery. The proposal is to ‘capture’ this carbon dioxide under the seabed to the west of the Island.
Exxon Mobil has identified two main ‘corridors’ on the Island for the potential pipeline each running from just west of Gurnard, skirting around Parkhurst Forest, and then splitting into two with several possible exit points along the southwest coast from Atherfield to Freshwater. These corridors cover about 40 square kilometres – about ten per cent of the Island’s total surface area.
If the plans go ahead, the final route chosen would see a trench dug about 1.5 metres deep into which a steel pipeline about 60 centimetres in diameter would be laid, and then covered over. The route would be about 50 metres wide – about the width of some of the widest motorways! – with an ‘exclusion zone’ or easement of 25 metres.
I am very concerned that digging these trenches would massively damage the ecology of the island’s seabed, and its national landscapes, heritage coast, ancient woodlands, and various protected nature sites. These include those designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Ramsar wetland sites, and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). This is particularly concerning given the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere designation.
Isle of Wight council has no formal say over the scheme as it is categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means Exxon Mobil have to apply for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate, which will consider the application and make a recommendation to the government to make the final decision.
Although described as a consultation, the ‘choice’ for residents is limited to saying which of Exxon Mobil’s predetermined routes they would prefer – or least dislike! I’m opposed to all the routes proposed – Exxon Mobil should work harder to actually reduce its CO2 emissions. I hope many residents will also oppose the proposals.
The consultation runs to 6pm on an extended deadline of 30 September 2024. Information from Exxon Mobil about this project, its remaining consultation events, and how to submit your views are on their project website.