An application to drill for gas in Surrey has been approved by the government after it had been refused twice by the county council.
UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) applied to explore a site south of Dunsfold Road and east of High Loxley Road, in Dunsfold.
Waverley Borough Council said it was "the worst possible outcome" and the drilling could lead to "irreversible harm" to the environment.
UKOG said it was looking forward to working with the local community.
UKOG chief executive Steve Sanderson said: "We welcome this decision and its backing for Loxley's gas as a secure, sustainable energy source with a far lower pre-combustion carbon footprint than imports."
The planning application had been opposed by campaigners and the Conservative MP for South West Surrey, Jeremy Hunt.
Mr Hunt, who was attending protests against the drilling in January, said: "It's absolutely extraordinary after COP26 in Glasgow that we are even thinking about drilling for oil and gas in this area."
Surrey County Council had twice refused permission to build two exploratory wells at Dunsfold.
An appeal by UKOG was then lodged with the planning inspector and the plans were approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "Although the County Council has received the decision, officers had not yet had chance to review it in any detail."
Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council's portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: "This is the worst possible outcome for the people of Waverley, and we are bitterly disappointed at the secretary of state's decision.
"Without doubt, allowing this planning application will lead to irreversible harm to our environment and to local people."
The borough council said it was concerned that "UKOG does not appear to have the funds to pay for reinstatement of the site so that if oil is not found in commercially viable quantities, the company can simply walk away, effectively transferring liability for clean-up and restoration costs to the local community".
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.
Campaigners protest against oil exploration bid
Protesters removed from proposed drilling site
UKOG
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Royal Surrey County Hospital Trust cares for nine Covid-19 patients in hospital
Thread… a festival of textiles returns at the Maltings this weekend
Man disqualified after driving on hard shoulder of M25 near Bexley
Jeremy Hunt condemns Government decision to allow gas drilling in rural Surrey
Graphic testimony as Trump accused of coup attempt
Five key takeaways from the Capitol riot hearing
Russia defends death sentences for captured Britons
The woman changing Australia's rape laws
Five key takeaways from the Capitol riot hearing
Shipwreck hailed most important since Mary Rose
Schoolgirls who became Scotland's first female firefighters
Weekly quiz: What put Kate Bush back in the charts?
French left unites to threaten Macron in elections
Is it the end for the lush lawns of Los Angeles?
Why I don't want to forget Covid grief and loss
Bruising bananas to create elaborate works of art. VideoBruising bananas to create elaborate works of art
The 12 best films of 2022 so far
From Top Gun: Maverick to Turning Red and Everything Everywhere All at Once
Switzerland's ingenious cooling caves
When fridges didn't exist, locals had to find other ways to keep food cool
Why people believe their own big lies
The role self-deception plays in leading people astray
© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.