A FINAL decision on whether to replace most of an underground pipeline between Hampshire and London is set to be made this year.

As previously reported, Esso is looking to replace part of its aviation fuel pipeline that runs between Fawley Refinery in the New Forest and a storage depot  near London Heathrow Airport. 

The company wants to upgrade 90km (56 miles) of the existing 105km (65 miles) pipeline.

The proposals involve the pipeline between  Boorley Green near Eastleigh and  and a West London Terminal storage facility in Hounslow.

The plans were sent to a Planning Inspectorate  last year and are currently being examined.

But an official document published by Hampshire County Council has now revealed that a final decision “should be made by October 9, 2020”.

According to the report discussed by the Regulatory Committee at the county council on February 12, the examination will close on April 9, 2020.

The document reads: “The County Council has attended a number of the hearings to make representations primarily relating to traffic management of the works, and the impact of the works upon public rights of way and surface water drainage. Once the examination has closed the Planning Inspectorate has three months within which to prepare a report and a recommendation for the Secretary of  State to consider. The Secretary of State then has a further three months to make a decision as to whether to approve or refuse the application. A decision should therefore be made by 9 October 2020.”

At the meeting members of the Regulatory Committee were told that the main issue for the county council is the impact the work would have on the highways.

But an officer reassured the committee saying that the county council has been in talks with  Esso.

Members were told that “very good progress” is being made and a “statement of common ground” is currently being agreed.

As reported, in 2018 the project came under fire from the South Downs National Park Authority, which said the scheme could damage woodland and historical sites.

But  Esso had highlighted the environmental benefits of the existing pipeline, saying it keeps 100 tankers off the road every day.

A consultation document revealed that  “pipelines are a safe, secure and low impact method of transporting fuel to some of the UK’s busiest airports”.