The South Downs National Park Authority planning committee has today unanimously rejected an application to test drill for shale oil at Fernhurst, in West Sussex.

The SDNPA Planning Committee today refused planning permission for Celtique Energie Weald Limited’s application for Nine Acre Copse, Fernhurst. The application was for the installation of a well and associated infrastructure, including access road and soil bunds, for the drilling of a vertical borehole for the exploration, testing and appraisal of hydrocarbons for a temporary period of three years.

Commenting on the refusal, Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, said:

“Members of the SDNPA Planning Committee refused planning permission for exploratory drilling and appraisal for oil/gas in the National Park because the applicant has failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances exist and that it would be in the public interest for such exploration to take place within the protected landscape of the South Downs. Planning permission was also refused because of the adverse impact on the tranquillity and amenity of the National Park.”

“The decision was unanimous and very firm. The message has gone out that robust evidence is vital to jump the very high hurdles set out in national planning policy.”

Friends of the Earth described the decision as a victory for common sense and said there should be no place for shale oil or gas exploration in our national parks. However, the campaigning organisation is warning that “thousands of communities across the country still face the threat of fracking in their back yard.”