The move to GOV.UK means that anyone wishing to access ICIBI inspection reports digitally, or to contact the ICIBI, will do so through a secure government portal. As well as ensuring that the ICIBI’s website is better protected against external threats, GOV.UK offers greater resilience than the ICIBI’s previous stand-alone arrangement, plus a modern and more appealing look and feel.

Meanwhile, the role and remit of the Independent Chief Inspector, which is set out in the UK Borders Act 2007, is unchanged and the inspectorate will continue to have complete editorial and content control of all of the material published on its website.

The Independent Chief Inspector, David Bolt, hopes that users will find the new website easy to access and use, and welcomes suggestions about further improvements users would like to see.

These applications have been submitted by the site operator to bring the site into line with the current regulations for conventional oil and gas sites. This is part of the Environment Agency’s review of all oil and gas permits granted prior to October 2013.

In deciding whether or not to issue the permits, the Environment Agency will take into account all relevant considerations and legal requirements.

You can view and comment on the applications.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

An environmental permit sets out stringent conditions to which a site must adhere. We will not issue or vary an environmental permit for a site if we consider that activities taking place will cause significant pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

We are in the process of determining the applications to re-permit this site and we want to hear from the public and understand peoples’ views. Everybody has the chance to see what the permit may look like and to raise any additional concerns before we make any final decision.

For all media enquiries please contact 0800 141 2743 or email Southeastpressoffice1@environment-agency.gov.uk.