The energy company said that the department's Secretary of State Michael Gove will now make a final appeal determination on Surrey County Council's decision to block the southeast England project, using a report and recommendation from the planning inspector.
The company said it had expected a decision from the planning inspectorate in the first quarter of 2022, but the recovery by the secretary may lengthen the time for an appeal decision.
UK Oil & Gas said that given questions about the U.K.'s gas supply and record high prices have been much discussed in recent months, it hopes Mr. Gove will consider Loxley--a domestic gas supply--as a potential solution to problems.
Write to Joe Hoppe at joseph.hoppe@wsj.com