Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning Services

To consider and determine the following applications:

WSCC/032/18/WC      Amendment of Condition 1 of planning permission ref: WSCC/029/17/WC extending the permission by 18 months to enable the completion of phase 4 site retention and restoration

WSCC/033/18/WC      Amendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/032/17/WC to enable the retention of security fencing, gates and cabins for a further 18 months

                                      Woodbarn Farm, Adversane Lane, Broadford Bridge, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9ED

WSCC/032/18/WCAmendment of Condition 1 of planning permission ref: WSCC/029/17/WC extending the permission by 18 months to enable the completion of phase 4 site retention and restoration.

WSCC/033/18/WCAmendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/032/17/WC to enable the retention of security fencing, gates and cabins for a further 18 months.

                                  Woodbarn Farm, Adversane Lane, Broadford Bridge, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9ED

68.1   The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).  The report was introduced by Chris Bartlett, Principal Planner, who provided a presentation on the proposals, details of consultation and key issues in respect of the application.  The following additional points were noted:

·         Should the applicant wish to carry out further drilling and/or extract oil commercially then a further planning application would be required.  Any potential future activity is not material to the current application.

·         Since publication of the Committee report a further three objections have been received covering both applications.

68.2   Dr Jill Sutcliffe representing Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green, spoke in objection to the application.  This application would increase time on site from 49 to 67 months.  Various promises made by the applicant to restore the site have not been met.  The site is not viable, as stated by the applicant themselves and other industry commentators.  The company has data, so why is more time required?  Other sites in the Weald referred to are not within WSCC jurisdiction and so should not be a consideration.  The operator has a poor record of clean-up and has been served with a Breach of Condition notice by South Downs National Park Authority for failure to restore Markwells Wood site after 2-years.  During drilling the cement bonding failed causing the well to leak and there is concern that carcinogenic and toxic chemicals escaped.  Horsham District Council expressed concerns that ‘longer term retention…would be detrimental to the landscape character of this countryside location’.  There are concerns about air and water pollution, and that drilling has taken place through a geological fault line with the potential for earthquakes.  If approved, then a financial bond should be required to secure site restoration.

68.3   Mr Nigel Moore of Zetland Group Ltd, agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  The additional 18 months requested is to allow time to review existing and new data from the existing boreholes and other nearby locations in the Weald, to understand the quality and recoverability of the oil reserves.  The scheme remains temporary and is reversible.  It is recognised that the NPPF is moving towards the transition to low carbon energy supplies but this will take time and, the meantime, the UK demand for energy is overriding.  The climate change agenda can be delivered but not at the expense of economic growth.  It will take time for UK households to transition from gas and oil boilers and for changes to take place in manufacturing and transport.  The UK is a net importer of energy and is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68