The MP representing Balcombe, site of a controversial oil well in West Sussex, has asked the government how water supplies could be affected by the onshore industry.

Last year, Mims Davies, Conservative MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, urged the government to withdraw the licence for the Balcombe site because of the risk of water pollution to the Ardingly Reservoir, which supplies the area’s drinking water.

This week, in a parliamentary question, Ms Davies asked the energy secretary, Ed Miliband:

“what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of

(a) onshore oil developments in the UK on areas of significant housing growth such as the Ardingly Reservoir catchment and

(b) those developments on drinking water.”

The energy minister, Michael Shanks, replied:

“Local planning authorities and the Environment Agency are responsible for assessing the impact of onshore oil and gas developments on housing and drinking water respectively.

“The North Sea Transition Authority regulates exploration and development licensing for England’s onshore oil and gas resources on behalf of the Secretary of State. Licence holders require further consents and permits before any operations take place.”

Balcombe residents have repeatedly warned of a plausible contamination link between Ardingly and the Angus Energy well site at Balcombe.

When reservoir levels are low –below 28% in October 2025 – water is pumped from the River Ouse to manage supplies. Tributaries of the Ouse are about 10m from the Balcombe well site.

• Last week, Angus Energy failed to meet the planning deadline for the start of a well test at Balcombe. West Sussex County Council told DrillOrDrop the site’s planning permission had now lapsed.