Officer recommendation on oil/gas application for Nine Acre Copse, Fernhurst

Officer recommendation on oil/gas application for Nine Acre Copse, Fernhurst

September 3, 2014

Members of the South Downs National Park Authority’s Planning Committee are being recommended to refuse planning permission for exploratory drilling and appraisal for oil/gas in the National Park. The report, by SDNPA officers, having taken Leading Counsel advice, advises that the applicant has failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances exist for such exploration and appraisal to take place within the protected landscape and that it is in the public interest to do so.

Read a full copy of the report

Trevor Beattie, Chief Executive for the SDNPA said:
“Any proposal for major development in a National Park must demonstrate that exceptional circumstances exist for the development to go ahead and that it is in the public interest for the development to occur. Key assessments are whether there is a proven need for this development in this location or whether oil/ gas exploration could take place elsewhere. The report speaks for itself.

“It is for the Members of the SDNPA Planning Committee to consider the report, evidence, the relevant policies and material considerations and make a decision on this important application.”

Additional information

• The SDNPA Planning Committee will meet to decide Celtique Energie Weald Limited’s application for Nine Acre Copse, Fernhurst at the South Downs Centre, Midhurst at 10:00 on 11 September 2014. The application is for the installation of a well and associated infrastructure, including access road and soil bunds, for the drilling of a vertical borehole for the exploration, testing and appraisal of hydrocarbons for a temporary period of three years.
• The South Downs National Park Authority is the statutory Planning Authority for the National Park area. It is the 8th largest in Britain in terms of planning applications received each year and also one of the largest in terms of the geographical area it covers.
• The role of the South Downs National Park as a Planning Authority is to manage and influence the development of land and buildings within its boundaries. To do this effectively the SDNPA has to balance the statutory purposes and duty of the National Park; to conserve the natural environment and existing built heritage, whilst recognising the needs of individuals and the local population to support rural communities and local businesses.