A well test at the controversial Balcombe oil site – scene of daily anti-fracking protests in summer 2013 – is looking unlikely.

The site, in West Sussex, has failed to give notice of the start of work.

Planning conditions require the well test to begin by 13 February 2026 and the site operator, Angus Energy, to give notice at least seven days earlier.

But West Sussex County Council confirmed today that it had received no notice from the company.

A council spokesperson said:

“The appeal decision (APP/P3800/W/21/3282246) requires commencement of the development within three years of the decision, which is 13 February 2026.  The County Council has not received any notification from Angus Energy with regards to commencement.”

A failure to start work by the deadline would see the planning permission lapse.

At the time of writing, Angus Energy had not made a statement to shareholders about the well test or the Balcombe site. DrillOrDrop has invited the company to comment on why it has not given notice of the work.

The village campaign organisation, Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association (FFBRA), said today:

“We won’t quite believe it until the deadline has passed but we are counting the days now with growing excitement. We’ve been watching the site closely in the last few weeks and to our great relief it has remained quiet.”

FFBRA member Helen Savage said:

“The fact that the oil company has not returned is testimony to many many years of hard work by so many concerned residents.

“Back in 2012 Keith Taylor (Green MEP) told residents that recent history showed the  ability to keep away an oil or gas company depended on the determination of the residents to come together and oppose it.

“We have refused to give up fighting every step of the way, because we have always known this development is wrong for the community, wrong for our local environment and above all wrong for our climate.

“We hope now that Angus Energy/Cuadrilla realise we have so many studies and so much new information that would stop a further application, that they realise it is pointless to continue.”

FFBRA chair, John Clarkson, said:

“Enforcing restoration is the next fight.  This is great news.” 

Malcolm Kenward, another FFBRA member, said:

“Balcombe residents and visitors can breathe easy again with fresh air, unpolluted by Angus Energy.

“The pupils and teachers at our village Primary School, will no longer be subjected to massive HGVs belching out diesel fumes as they pass by a metre away. The threat to Ardingly reservoir and the aquifer below the site (the local hosepipe ban was finally lifted just last week) has gone, although the results of the a survey identifying the poor integrity of the well bore suggest the aquifer may already have been polluted. (Perhaps why they decided not to return.)

“We are all so glad and relieved to have our village back again. There will be a party.”

Sue Taylor, a former FFBRA chair, said:

“We are absolutely delighted and we look forward to WSCC enforcing the restoration of the site.” 

West Sussex’s planning committee unanimously refused permission for the well test in March 2021. This was despite a recommendation to approve by planners.

Angus Energy successfully appealed against the refusal when a planning inspector overturned the council’s decision in February 2023.

Limited work has been carried out since the Balcombe oil well was drilled more than a decade ago, in woodland on the edge of the village.

The site has been consistently unpopular with many residents.

A local poll in 2013 found 85% were against drilling the well, 9% undecided and just 6% in favour.

FFBRA took three legal challenges against planning permission at the site to the Royal Courts of Justice in London.