Do you live in West Sussex? And are you concerned about how fracking could impact the county and local communities? Then here's a guide to how you can take part in the latest public consultation. Read on for a step by step guide and a few talking points. And importantly please remember to have your comments sent in by 5PM on Friday 20 June, as that's when the consultation closes.
Step 1: To get started, open the council's website here.
Step 2: Follow the instructions on the page and enter your personal details, including your name and address. Don't forget to choose 'object' in the 'your response' section.
Step 3: Write your objection email in the comments section. Please see below for a few talking points if you're stuck for what to write.
NOTE: If you'd prefer to email the council directly, please send your objection to planning.applications@westsussex.gov.uk with the reference number: WSCC/083/13/KD
Climate change: We need to leave these fossil fuels in the ground and invest in clean, renewable energy instead. The International Energy Agency warn that most of the gas and oil we've already found should stay in the ground if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change. The UK government, and local governments too, have a moral duty to future generations to ensure that these fossil fuels are not exploited. There is simply no justification for drilling for more oil and gas when renewable alternatives are both accessible and affordable.
Transport: Life in Wisborough Green would suffer from a 600%+ increase in heavy traffic with all the attendant safety issues. Narrow bridges and the lack of footpaths in places make the route dangerous for all users including the drilling company and its contractors. An independent oil executive predicted that the extra vehicles needed to deliver water required for each well if exploited will amount to 400 tankers.
Water: The amount required and its source have not been specified for the site. This is an area of drought and little water is available (EA). Estimates varied between 9 million litres and 29 million litres water per well. Additionally, there are significant concerns with how waste water and contaminated water will be handled.
Wildlife: One of the reasons the proposal to explore for oil and gas is controversial is because of concerns about possible impacts on ecosystems. The area supports European Protected Species of bats – the Bechstein and Barbastelle – which receive the highest level of protection. The proposed site is adjacent to Northup Copse, a Sussex Wildlife Trust reserve which has a long-established badger sett and is an English hotspot for nightingales.
Noise levels: It is suggested that the sound levels from an operating site will be 45Db but at Balcombe levels greatly exceeded this and WSCC had to be contacted to agree to much greater noise levels. These estimates do not appear to include the noise of the generator as well as the rig nor the increased noise of Heavy Goods Vehicles running non-stop through the village.
Community life: The fracking company is proposing NO PARKING round the town Green, the very heart of the Wisborough Green community. The Green hosts regular sporting contests, school events, fêtes, ballooning etc and in summer people sit out by the children’s playground and the pubs.
If you receive a reply from West Sussex Council, let us know in the comments below.
