VIDEO: ‘Why wouldn’t you trust us?’ asks CEO of energy firm behind plans to drill in West Sussex
In short, the controversial topic of hydraulic fracturing - known as fracking - is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
“We shouldn’t be having to battle to find out what the nation has got, but we are,” said Mr Davies during an exclusive interview with the County Times. “We’re battling to put a hole in the ground.”
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Hide AdThe 59-year-old Lancashire man, who is behind plans for exploratory drilling sites at Broadford Bridge in Billingshurst, Fernhurst and a location near Kirdford and Wisborough Green, says he is conscious of the ‘fear factor’ and ‘lack of trust’ which shrouds the industry.
This week the CEO revealed Celtique is preparing to submit a further two applications for potential sites some where in its 1,000 sq km (247,000 acre) license-holding area which stretches from north east Crawley to westerly Hampshire. But he refused to disclose the exact locations for planning process reasons.
Celtique has been given the green light to test hydrocarbons at the Billingshurst site off Adversane Lane. Mr Davies expects work to commence during the second quarter of this year subject to finding a rig and getting the go-ahead from the Environment Agency.
Plans have progressed with no disruption from protesters, because fracking will never take place on the site.
But in Kirdford and Wisborough Green it’s another story.
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Hide AdSince the application was submitted to West Sussex County Council in August last year Mr Davies has made clear the controversial technique could be used in the future if initial tests prove positive.
The news sparked a wave of opposition from locals - exacerbated by the summer of protests at Cuadrilla’s site in Balcombe.
It made headlines around the world when hundreds of activists descended upon the village for months of campaigning before they were forcibly removed by police.
In the wake of such spotlighted scenes, residents have formed the group Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green and are preparing to wage war against Celtique.
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Hide AdMounting traffic, wildlife devastation and plummeting house prices are among the fears they have expressed. All issues which have been excepted, mitigated or dispelled, explains the CEO.
“We would be absolutely amazed if we don’t get planning permission for Wisborough Green. If we don’t, we will appeal.”
Mr Davies emphasised ‘all alternative routes’ have been researched with regards to the flow of traffic in and out of the well-site on farmland off Kirdford Road.
He spoke of temporary traffic lights and allocated time slots for vehicles to enter and exit.
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Hide AdHe said: “We believe it’s a small impact but the acid test will be if the planning authority see it as a small impact.”
The CEO claims top experts have been investigating the potential affects on wildlife surrounding the site - in particular the Barbastelle Bat.
This has formed a ‘major part’ of an environmental impact report and the firm will install ‘bat boxes’ and ‘shroud lights’.
Mr Davies dismisses speculation that property near drilling sites suffer a decline in value, citing evidence from Wytch Farm in Dorset - BP’s biggest onshore UK oil well located in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - where he claims house prices are some of the most expensive outside of London.