Cuadrilla has written to Balcombe residents telling them it has no plans ever to frack its oil exploration well on the edge of village.

The letter, signed by company Chief Executive, Francis Egan, says the oil-bearing rocks below the site at Lower Stumble are naturally fractured. Mr Egan said: “The presence of these natural fractures and the nature of the rock means that we do not intend to hydraulically fracture the exploration well at Lower Stumble now or in the future.”

The BBC quotes Brenda Pollack, from Friends of the Earth, as saying local people would want more information about Cuadrilla’s plans and the potential impacts on their community and the environment.

Cuadrilla’s letter coincides with the publication of the company’s latest planning application for Balcombe on the West Sussex County Council website. The application can be viewed at:  http://buildings.westsussex.gov.uk/ePlanningOPS/loadFullDetails.do?aplId=1634

The application is for temporary permission to flow test and monitor an existing hydrocarbon lateral borehole, along with site security fencing, the provision of an enclosed testing flare and site restoration.

A consultation process opened yesterday (22/1/14) and is scheduled to end on March 13th.