THE Government has dismissed claims by a Dorset environmental group that it should have been consulted before oil drilling was extended in Poole Bay.

Earlier this month the Jurassic Coast Trust wrote to petroleum industry regulator OPRED expressing disappointment that it had not been asked for input when rig operator Fraser Well Management applied to drill later into the month.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said at the time that the increase in drilling days was a "dereliction of duty" by the regulator.

The rig has now departed the bay, with Corallian Energy, the firm behind the operation, saying oil had been found at the Colter Prospect, albeit not precisely where expected and in uncertain quantity.

In response to the letter, OPRED director Jonathan Ward said: "I note your disappointment that the Jurassic Coast Trust was not consulted regarding the application to extend drilling operations in Poole Bay.

"In this case, the application to vary the environmental and navigational approvals to extend the operations into March was submitted by Corallian’s well operator, Fraser Well Management Limited, following delays to the drilling schedule caused by bad weather.

"Such a request is not unusual, as drilling operations can often be delayed for a number of reasons, including bad weather during the winter months.

"The amended environmental impact assessment submitted in support of the variations was reviewed, taking account of comments received from the key environmental and navigational stakeholders, and we were content that the requested extensions until the end of March would not result in any significant environmental or navigational impact.

"The extensions were therefore approved."

Mr Ward said OPRED had been "extremely aware of the sensitivity of this stretch of the UK coastline" and "appropriate mitigation" had been included.

In the trust's letter, its chief executive Sam Rose said members were "very disappointed" not to have been consulted.

He said the extension would "extend the period during which the risks of catastrophic accidental oil release are an active potential threat".

"When considering potential impacts of developments, national planning policy states that substantial harm to World Heritage Sites should be wholly exceptional."