Shale Gas Endangers Locals’ Wealth, Lifestyle Say West Sussex Residents
This article is the first in a series examining the concerns and challenges facing local communities with unconventional hydrocarbon developments in their region of the United Kingdom.
Less than twenty miles from Balcombe, the site of vigorous protests against the unconventional hydrocarbon activities of Cuadrilla Resources, Celtique Energie wants to test the geology of the bucolic West Sussex, between Kirdford and Wisborough Green.
‘Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green,’ read a few banners around the two villages. Not necessarily a region crying out for industrialised development - residents are more concerned about eventual changes in their simple, but refined lifestyle.
Apart from the lush green setting, the casual visitor does indeed notice nice cars, old style properties and French-style home cooking.
It comes as no surprise that the employment rate in South East England is the highest in the United Kingdom, eight percent greater than in London. According to the data of the Office for National Statistics, this region is also the third most densely populated in the country, after London and North West England.
It is with this background that Kirdford and Wisborough Green Parish Councils organized a Public Meeting on Friday 31st January. Over 100 local attendees took part in the gathering together with the MP Nick Herbert, representatives of the Environment Agency and Geoff Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Celtique Energie.
QUESTIONS RAINED DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS
After the presentations of the panelists, the public raised specific issues about the consequences of eventual shale exploration and production in the area. That was the most important significant moment to understand the sentiment of the residents. Their questions were punchy and factual. Participants asked for clarifications about the time needed for the lorries to conclude the first exploratory phase, about the repercussions on traffic and generally on their quality of life. Their worries were evident and genuine.
The meeting was cluttered with jeers and boos, but exploded in relief when the local MP Nick Herbert questioned the impact of project.
“Because vehicles have to pass through Wisborough Green causing great disruption to the community, there are strong reasons for me to say that this is not a sensible place to have exploratory drilling,” said Herbert, resulting in a frenzy of clapping hands and agreeing voices.
Such a positive reaction did not greet the representative of the Environment Agency, who said that shale gas could be done in line within environmental requirements.
“We think that it can be carried out safely,” Chris Wick, Environment Manager.
But the arm-wrestling between authorities and residents did not come to an end. Wick was questioned whether imminent budget cuts could impact on the ability of the body to monitor the developments of shale gas sites. He acknowledged that the cut of 1,500 posts is a “disproportionate adjustment,” but dismissed any consequences for the safety of unconventional operations. Locals pushed back, quoting official figures and independent studies. They carefully depicted all the possible risks related to shale gas. It has been almost like watching a thrilling football game. Actions and reactions.
LOCALS PREPARED TO FUND STUDIES
Following the meeting, locals gathering in a local pub told Natural Gas Europe that owners of the land around the drilling site had chipped in to promote an anti-fracking campaign. Many commented that this was just the first step and that they were definitely prepared to fund independent assessments.
The locals are focusing their campaign on the proximity of Sussex Wildlife Trust Natural Reserve, indicating that any exploration activity could be in breach of European laws. The reserve is home to several species of bats, which are protected animals according to both national and international laws. Damaging or destroying a bat roosting place is a criminal offence.
‘The results show that eight different bat species were recorded, the commonest at both locations being the Common Pipistrelle followed by the Soprano Pipistrelle and the Myotis group,’ reads the Report on Survey of Bat Activity run by the West Weald Landscape Project (WWLP).
Similarly, five landowners in Fernhurst are ready to advance a legal challenge against Celtique The company had reached an agreement with a local owner for a vertical drilling. But horizontal drilling is a different story. According to the standing legislation, the company would need the consent of nearby landowners.
PLANNING APPLICATION DOES NOT INCLUDE "FRACKING"
But let’s take a step back to review the background of the debate.
In September 2013, UK-based Celtique submitted the planning application for the drilling of a well to Kirdford and Wisborough Green Parish Councils, to test for the presence of commercial oil or gas in the Kimmeridge limestone. The application did not include the use of the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing.
‘Should this data prove positive, Celtique may wish to explore these formations further, which could include the use of hydraulic fracturing at a new well on this same site,’ reads a note released by the company.
In November 2013, both Parishes objected to the application and requested the applicant to submit further information. The West Sussex County Council (WSCC) accepted the objection and requested the applicant to submit further information by the 6th of March. The WSCC then confirmed that if and when further information is received, WSCC would carry out further consultations.
Re-advertisement and public consultation would follow any additional information submitted by Celtique. The current deadline for determination was extended to 30 April 2014.
OIL AND GAS IN WEST SUSSEX - A BROADER PICTURE
West Sussex and Lancashire appear to the litmus tests for the UK’s embryonic shale gas industry. At the moment, the spotlight is on West Sussex, but could soon turn (again) to Lancashire.
In West Sussex, there are three permitted production sites (Singleton, Lidsey, Storrington) and three exploration sites. Of these, just the one in Forestside is active, as Broadford Bridge is inactive and Balcombe recently expired.
In West Sussex, there are also two proposed explorations sites. As mentioned, one between Kirdford and Wisborough Green; the second in Fernhurst.
According to the West Sussex County Council, fracking took place in the early 1980s near Graffham but, at the moment, there is no unconventional drilling currently taking place at the active exploration or production sites. Again, hydraulic fracturing has not, at this stage, been proposed.
“Potential use of fracking depends upon the geology and presence of unconventional hydrocarbons,” said Michael Elkington, Strategic Planning Manager at West Sussex County Council, adding that planning permissions are required for each stage of extraction.
COMPENSATION ALONE IS NOT THE KEY TO FOSTER SHALE GAS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
The Cameron government has proposed that local communities receive compensation (or share in the economic benefits of shale development – depending upon your preference of “spin”), but the majority of those in already prosperous area contacted by Natural Gas Europe are adamant that monies will not buy their consent.
Locals fears their properties would lose value, while their lifestyles would change as a consequence of the lorries carrying material in ‘their’ streets. Noise and congested traffic at the every least, with potential environmental implications a wildcard, is a price they are not willing to pay.
“We are extremely concerned about the effect fracking would have on house prices. We have had to pay a premium for living in such a beautiful area of the country. House prices would undoubtedly see a dramatic drop,” says Sandie Yeo, the owner of a Bed & Breakfast in Wisborough Green.
Locals are committed to the keeping their lifestyle, continuing with their established activities, taking advantage of a "pure and calm environment". Keeping it as it is.
“I don’t think any of us in the village have a NIMBY mentality. But we do not want this anywhere in the United Kingdom,” commented business owner Yeo.
The locals remind us of the precedent set at Balcombe; that protests can be well organized, factual and simply massive. Their message is clear.
Sergio Matalucci