Drilling threat returns to Balcombe

Residents in Balcombe face another three years of disruption as the threat of drilling for shale oil beneath the High Weald AONB returned this week.

An appeal decision by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate published yesterday (February 13) overturned West Sussex County Council’s refusal of permission for Angus Energy to do more testing.

Angus, and before it Cuadrilla, have been exploring the possibility of commercial exploitation of shale oil at the Balcombe site for well over a decade now.

This week’s decision means they can test for a further three years.

In making his decision, the Planning Inspector failed to give weight to national climate change policy. Instead, he emphasised national energy policy.

CPRE Sussex is urging all residents to contact their MP, condemn the planning inspector’s decision and emphasise the climate emergency.

Read: Press release Drilling threat returns to Balcombe