Dear West Sussex County Council,

Application Number: WSCC/061/13/BA and WSCC/063/13/BA Location: Lower Stumble Hydrocarbon Exploration Site, London Road, Balcombe, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6JH Proposal: Amendment of condition 2 of WSCC/027/10/BA to allow additional time to complete the drilling and testing programme and restore the site and amendment of condition 3 of WSCC/027/10/BA to vary the type of flare used during the testing process. I object to the extension to the original planning permission on the grounds of unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural environment together with: - the lack of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the initial application; - the lack of detailed information with regard to environmental impacts, particularly on potential protected species at or near the site; - the failure of the existing conditions to deal appropriately with air quality and water impacts. I note that the local authority's screening decision not to require an EIA for the extension to the planning permission restricts the information on impacts available to the local authority's elected members when making their decision at the planning committee meeting. I believe that the local authority should instead seek to have a full assessment of impacts given the contentious nature of the activity and its location in a sensitive area. National planning guidance has changed since permission was given in 2010 and therefore paragraph 144 of the National Planning Policy Framework is relevant. It states that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should "ensure in granting planning permission for mineral development, that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health [...]" My objection to the variation of time condition (extension) and flare condition (height) is on the grounds of the following unacceptable adverse impacts: Groundwater quality Background levels of methane in groundwater locally are already high and any escape of gas into the groundwater could lead to unacceptably high levels. Water impacts The application contains inadequate information about water use and impacts on water. Air Quality The application contains inadequate information about air quality impacts, in particular fugitive methane emissions, and the risks are therefore unknown. Wildlife impacts Bats and reptiles are likely to be near or on this site (it is close to ancient woodland) but because of a lack of a full report the Council cannot know whether protected species will be affected by the works, in particular the increased amount of time-related disturbance, and the increased height of the flare. In addition, Government guidance on greater flexibility for planning permissions (2010) states: "This process is not a rubber stamp. Local planning authorities may refuse applications to extend the time limit for permissions where changes in the development plan or other relevant material considerations indicate the proposal should no longer be treated favourably." Please keep me informed on the outcome of these applications.

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