Fresh plans for further oil testing at Balcombe well site

Last year Angus Energy withdraw an application for flow testing at the Lower Stumble site as council planning officers were recommending refusal.

Officers said there were no exceptional circumstances to allow such major development in the High Weald AONB with minimal benefits to the local economy, pointing out how there were alternative sources of hydrocarbon supply to meet national need.

Objectors argue the only significant change in the new proposal is shortening the timescale of testing from up to three years to only one year with the same procedures and the same risks to water quality, the environment and air quality.

Back in 2018, Angus carried out a seven-day well test and attempted to return to the site in 2019, but the county council said its planning permission had expired.

The company wants to return to the well to pump out the remaining drilling fluids followed by an extended well test.

The site would then either be restored or a fresh application submitted for a future production phase.

The application says: “The total duration of the project will last up to 30 months; however, surface operations during this period will be confined to a much shorter duration of approximately 18 months.”

It describes how continued exploration and appraisal is a ‘necessary step’ in the extraction process of hydrocarbons before long-term production can be achieved.

The application goes on to describe how the Balcombe discovery is considered a ‘sweet spot’ of the Weald Basin, adding: “The site represents the most appropriate site in West Sussex to accommodate this type of development.”

It argues the site has the ‘potential to make a positive contribution to the UK Government’s energy production and energy security objectives’ and any potential adverse impacts associated with the development ‘are likely to be minor and restricted to the temporary duration’.

The application has already prompted a flurry of objections.

Many point out that the changing economic situation means an ever increasing move from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.

One objector wrote: “There remain risks to water quality, of air pollution, of increased HGV traffic (passing three metres from Balcombe Primary School), to wildlife and the environment. This application brings no benefit to the local community and makes a negligible contribution to the national economy. There is no reason it should be allowed in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

To comment visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/planning using code WSCC/045/20.

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