On Air Now Nick Osborne 10:00am - 3:00pm Jon Secada - Just Another Day Schedule

Balcombe Oil Well Test Recommended Despite 815 Objections

Anti-fracking protesters south of Balcombe village, 2013 (Photo: © Robin Webster / Creative Commons)

Officials from West Sussex County Council are recommending a new proposal to test an oil well at Balcombe should be approved, despite 815 objections.

Operator Angus Energy wants to spend a year testing the shaft it began to drill on the site at Lower Stumble, 35 years ago.

The site was first explored between 1986–87, when a well was drilled, then left: and the surrounding hard 'pad' retained for forestry product storage.

As oil and gas exploration technology developed, the site was the focus of renewed interest from 2010 onwards, with time-limited planning permissions being granted for further construction and flow testing.

At the same time, public concern was growing about fossil-fuels in general, and about the spread of hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') in particular.

Although the technique, of forcing liquids at high pressure into rocks deep underground to break them up, and release hydrocarbons, was never proposed for Balcombe, its use elsewhere had led to widespread and sustained protests.

On-site campaigners frequently brought their protests to Balcombe, and a lively active group of concerned people remains committed to the anti-fracking cause, and the elimination of fossil-fuel use in general.

Planning documents for the proposed new testing programme at the well clearly state that fracking is not in the plans for the site, and county council officials' proposed conditions insist it must not happen.

An earlier three-year proposal for testing, made in 2019, was withdrawn.

At the time, council officials stated the development, in an officially-designated High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was too much for the location, and would not be of sufficient use to the nation as a whole.

They said:

"‘The proposed development would represent major development in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, for which there are no exceptional circumstances, and which is not in the public interest.

"There are alternative sources of hydrocarbon supply, both indigenous and imported, to meet the national need, there would be minimal benefit to the local economy from the development, and there is scope for meeting the need in some other way, outside of nationally designated landscapes."

But information being given to West Sussex county councillors states that officials have changed their minds about a drilling test, for several reasons mostly connected to a shorter proposed duration, and additional measures being put in place to safeguard the well.

However, buildings to be put in place would include a 40m crane (for up to 10 days) and equipment to allow a flame, almost 14m tall, to burn waste gas. The site would also include cabins, pumps and oil storage tanks.

In recommending the application's approval, county council officials stated:

"Most significantly, the duration of the operations has been shortened to a twelve-month testing period, compared with the three-year extended well test previously proposed, and it is now proposed to install a new impermeable membrane to accord with current guidelines.

"The applicant has also submitted additional documents, including a Socio-Economic Report highlighting the potential benefits of the development to the local economy.

"They have also highlighted recent permissions of similar sites and planning appeals and researched the potential for developing elsewhere, demonstrating why this site is more favourable than others."

The council said that the applicant claimed, if testing showed oil flow could be used commercially, the well would be sealed-up, and a new planning application for production would be submitted.

Angus Energy added that up to 16 two-way movements of heavy goods vehicles to and from the site would occur daily.

Sustained protests at the site opposed fracking — but the operator says this isn't its intention.

Nevertheless, at the time of writing (February 22) 815 objections had been received, with a total of ten other comments expressing different opinions.

Concerns centre around issues of possible pollution, extra traffic generated by the site, a lack of local employment opportunities, damage to a site of outstanding natural beauty, and fossil fuel exploration being contrary to stated government policies of moving away from oil and gas extraction.

West Sussex County Council planners are due to discuss the application, reference WSCC/045/20, on March 2nd.

More from Sussex News

Your News

It’s easy to get in touch with the More Radio News team.

Add you phone number if you would like us to call you back