EXPLORATORY drilling for oil is set to start near Horley next month.
Horse Hill Developments is already preparing a large tract of land about the size of two football pitches, not far from a nature reserve and Horley town centre, for a drilling rig.
The developer took over the project first started by Magellan Petroleum in 2011, which was granted planning permission to drill an exploratory borehole off Horse Hill.
As long as two further permits are granted by the Environment Agency and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the company aims to begin drilling next month.
The developer says the project is a "conventional drill" for oil and not fracking.
Scott Bradley, chief executive of Horse Hill Developments, said: "Fracking is a specific process, it's not our area of expertise. We are not doing that. It's an exploration well where we are drilling and planning what we are dealing with."
The site is currently being cleared for a 35m tall rig, which will enable workers to create a 20-inch borehole. A new access road is also being built.
Mr Bradley says there is a 20 per cent chance of finding oil and that the site is going to cost around £20,000 a day to run. Currently, the firm plans to drill for 47 days, but the process could last up to 60.
Should the project be successful, then Horse Hill Developments will look to go into production to extract the oil. Phillip Wanbon, of Norwood Hill Residents Association, expressed concern about noise, dust and traffic levels.
He also said there is a concern the project could lead to fracking in future.
The planning permission granted by Surrey County Council has 36 conditions that the developers must adhere to, although drilling can take place throughout the night.
Surrey Green Party campaigner Sarah Finch also has concerns. She said: "Drilling for oil at Horse Hill will mean a massive increase in noise, pollution and heavy traffic in this quiet rural area.
"But even worse, drilling for yet more fossil fuels will worsen the threat of climate change. Rather than dinosaur fuels, we need to be shifting investment to low or zero-carbon energy technologies such as tidal, wind and solar. Investment in clean energy will mean new green jobs and industries, greater energy security, and less climate-changing pollution."
Horse Hill Developments has applied to the Environment Agency for a permit to carry out the work. Residents can comment on the plans until next Tuesday (July 15) by visiting consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/npsapp/horsehill/horse_hill_ developments_limited_1
