Egdon Resources plc (AIM:EDR) notes the release made today by Europa Oil and Gas (Holdings) plc (“Europa”) announcing the successful result of a High Court challenge in relation to the drilling of an exploratory well at the Holmwood prospect (“Holmwood”) in Weald Basin licence PEDL143 located in Surrey, where the Company holds a 38.4% interest.

Egdon regards this judgement as a positive outcome and will now consider the next steps forward regarding PEDL143 with the joint venture partners, Europa (operator, 40%), Warwick Energy (20%) and Altwood Petroleum (1.6%). This judgment means that the Inspector’s decision is quashed and the appeal will be remitted to the Planning Inspectorate for redetermination, which may involve a further planning Inquiry, for the exploratory drill site at Holmwood.

As announced by Europa on 1 November 2012, the PEDL143 joint venture partners applied for an order to quash the decision of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government’s appointed Inspector to dismiss their appeal against Surrey County Council’s refusal to grant planning permission to drill one exploratory borehole and undertake a short term test for hydrocarbons at the Holmwood prospect drill-site.

The judge, Mr Justice Ouseley, gave judgement in favour of quashing the Inspector’s decision at 3pm on 25 July 2013 in the Royal Courts of Justice. The judge granted the Leith Hill Action Group leave to appeal, to the Court of Appeal, against his judgment.