FFBRA meets MIMS Davies, MP
On Monday, July 14th, we had a very productive online video meeting with Mims Davies, our MP, and her researcher Julie. In attendance from FFBRA were Helen Savage, Malcolm Kenward, Matt Fox and John Clarkson.
Mims came ready to listen and was really engaged. After introductions, we discussed a previous parliamentary question submitted by Jeremy Quin relating to Acid Injection, which led to a tightening of regulations on what acids could be injected into well bores. This discussion also touched on the poor state of the well casing as evidenced by data we have obtained.
We moved on to watercourses, with some tributaries of the River Ouse very close to the well site. The link between the River Ouse and the Ardingly reservoir was dismissed in the planning reversal by the inspector who relied on Environment Agency reports that understated the amount of abstraction of water from the river to the reservoir. FFBRA discovered through a Freedom of Information request that there are, in fact, very significant amounts of water being pumped from the Ouse into the reservoir, particularly when the river is high in the winter months, presumably to help charge the reservoir for the summer. There was at least some water pumped on more than 85% of the days in a 10-year period from 2013 – 2023. This amount averages 482 cubic metres per day but hits a peak of 38,799 cubic metres (8 million gallons) in a day! Mims noted this for her next meeting with SE Water.
We also noted that the aquifer through which the well is drilled is strategically important as a reserve aquifer for SE water and is anecdotally no longer suitable for drinking by people or stock. SE water may want to do some further testing.
Mims then asked Matt why they (Angus) are bothering to explore in this location and causing so much trouble for the village, given the low probability of a commercially viable discovery. Matt then talked about the earthquake risk, given the recent earthquakes at Newdigate, and suggested that the British Geological Survey could do some baseline monitoring.
Next, Helen spoke with her usual passion and knowledge about the pollution from the HGVs travelling right past the village school and pouring poisonous fumes into the outdoor classroom spaces. Potential pollution from flaring and the experience of it from the last time (2018) were also discussed. With odours at the site, plus noise pollution and potential air pollution (some studies provide evidence for this in other locations) in the village. This is not like burning the very processed and clean gas in your home; flaring burns the gas that comes directly from the well with whatever comes up, along with the hydrocarbons.
Malcolm then addressed the energy security issue and national interest claims in the planning inspector’s report. The key highlight being 80% of UK oil production is exported, so anything extracted from Lower Stumble is not going to improve energy security in any measurable way. Even optimistic estimates have production from the well at fractions of a percent of total UK oil production and, if it is likely to be exported, there can be no argument in the national interest.
We then shared links to an early day motion (EDM1506) to discuss extending the moratorium on fracking to smaller volume fracks, which are not currently covered by the moratorium and are not legally considered fracking in the UK, although would be considered so in the USA, for example. We also shared this petition to parliament for a debate on the same issue.
Finally, we highlighted the public statements and work of Jeremy Hunt in relation to fracking in Dunsfold and Mims will discuss this with him.
As a result of the meeting Mims committed to a number of actions. She will:
- Raise water issues with SE water when she meets with them
- Discuss the earthquake and geological movement risks with Network Rail and train companies
- Discuss the risks with Ofwat to see what is in their remit
- Look into the issue with the renewal of permits with EA
- Look at the Early Day Motion
She invited us to come up with parliamentary question(s) which she could table, and we will work on this. If you have ideas – let us know! Mims suggested a follow-up meeting in September, which we will, of course, take her up on.
It was a very positive meeting and a pleasure to work with our MP who is committed to representing her constituents and is prepared to engage on issues that concern them.
Her interest in our cause backs up her electioneering video with Gary Marsh by the railway station, where they both stated oil exploration should not be permitted in our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Remember, there are still two vacancies on the FFBRA committee so if you are interested in getting involved – get in touch.
John Clarkson, Chair
Election Campaigning in Balcombe – Tuesday, 18 June, 2024
Mims Davies, MP. with Gary Marsh District Councillor
“It was indeed another early start this morning, this time in the lovely Balcombe alongside Cllr Gary Marsh speaking with commuters at the station.
It’s clear from talking to commuters early this morning that one big issue is the lack of parking and struggles when trying to catch your train. People are parking on the roads and this is just dangerous so more parking is clearly needed.
Another issue raised when talking to commuters is the fracking issue which Cllr Gary Marsh discusses further in my video including the appeals.
This is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we are united with the community in that it is simply not the right place for it and cannot be allowed.”
