WSCC Planning committee to vote on year long flow-test by Angus Energy.
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted objections to Angus's application (805 people objected and 4 were in favour.) Angus's application has finally been scheduled for determination at the next West Sussex County Council Planning Committee Meeting (Tuesday 2nd March) 2021.
At that meeting arguments will be put for and against the application and then the 13 councillors on the Planning Committee will vote.
In 2020 Angus submitted an application for a 1 year flow-test during which a flare will operate constantly, although they will be on site for at least 3 more months in order to set up all the equipment needed. Should they be successful they will apply to stay on site and go into production. There was a previous application in 2019 for a 3 year test, which Angus withdrew because the Planning Officer recommended refusal. Their reasons? It is not in the public interest to have a major development in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the residual need for hydrocarbons can be met elsewhere.
Despite the main change in the latest application being the time period, the Planning Officer is now recommending approval.
However, the decision is up to the Planning Committee and they do sometimes vote against the Planning Officers' recommendations.
If you would like to see more details, go to
Page 15 onwards of the Agenda Reports Pack.
If you know any of the councillors on the Planning Committee, please reach out to them and remind them why we don't want an oil well in Balcombe. Or find your councillor using the link and email them to ask that they do what they can to represent the huge numbers that oppose this application.
Reasons to object:
HGV traffic:
Significant increase in HGVs close to the school on the B2036. Many of the HGVs are 6-axle vehicles that take up the entire length of the school as they wait to go down the London Road. The school’s outdoor classroom are only a pavement width from and below the height of the road. They cross both sides of the road as they turn into the site, and many are so tall they risk hitting the low-slung power lines.
Flaring:
Angus will have a flare on site for a year. The site is below the village and the prevailing wind will blow pollutants straight towards residents.
Risk to water and geology:
An independent hydrology report found that the oil well was not sound in all sections which ‘increases the risk to groundwater quality’. Angus’ ‘understanding of risk to groundwater systems (………) is wholly inadequate’ (Tapajos Hydrology report 2019). There is a hydraulic link between the site and Ardingly reservoir.
Seismic risk:
Oil developments in the Weald and elsewhere have been associated with and proved to cause earthquakes
Not temporary:
Each time an oil company works here it sets a precedent for more work to follow. They are flow-testing for oil and will be producing oil in the hope they can apply for further production. This will mean remaining onsite for much longer and entails more risk to locals for little gain.
Climate Change:
WSCC will be going against their own, countrywide and global obligations to mitigate climate change. Energy can be produced in less destructive renewable ways; there is no need for this development.