Opponents and supporters of oil drilling in West Sussex have been responding to the refusal of planning permission for another two years at the Broadford Bridge site near Billingshurst.

County councillors voted this morning by seven to four against extending the life of the site for a fifth time.

The meeting had heard that the extension would allow the site operator, UK Oil & Gas plc (UKOG), to evaluate the prospects of two other sites, at Horse Hill and Loxley. But no work was planned for Broadford Bridge the meeting heard. More details here.

The Weald Action Group, which spoke against the proposal at the meeting, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled with the news that UKOG was denied planning permission to extend the life of the well at Broadford Bridge and are looking forward to the restoration of the site.

“UKOG’s paltry excuses did not withstand the scrutiny of the planning committee —most of whom were openly frustrated with yet another request for an extension.

“The fact remains that there is little economic viability to onshore oil and gas projects in the Weald.

“Any minuscule amount of oil produced here will be sold globally and is just as likely to be used in China as West Sussex.”

“Primarily about geothermal”

UKOG made two references in its application Planning Statement to possible generation of geothermal heat from Broadford Bridge.

The company said the site had “potential to operate as a private agricultural heat source for commercial fruit, vegetable, or tea production, uses which have proved viable in other rural locations.” The discussion took up less than half a page of the 47-page document.

This evening, UKOG said in a short statement that the application had been:

“primarily to assess the viability of converting the site to harness geothermal heat and power”.

It added:

“Although the envisaged geothermal scheme is entirely peripheral to the Company’s core petroleum and hydrogen storage activities and is of no current materiality, the Company will further consider its position and has six months in which to lodge an appeal should it so decide.”

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