Cuadrilla has withdrawn its two planning applications in connection with the drilling operations at Balcombe and the arrangements to secure an extension of time for the completion of the works.

Cuadrilla has told West Sussex County Council that it has decided to reassess its programme and, in turn, the terms of its current planning application. The firm said it has decided to submit a new planning application for its site at Lower Stumble, Balcombe.

The new application will include revised boundary lines showing the extent of the horizontal well which is to be flow tested. The application will cover the same well testing that is in the currently permitted activity, subject to there being no drill stem test, additional drilling or any hydraulic fracturing.

Cuadrilla commented:

“We believe that this approach will provide clear benefits to the County Council and the local residents of Balcombe. The replacement scheme will define the terms of our proposal and will make clear that we do not intend to hydraulically fracture the well during this testing operation.”

The firm said the revised scheme would also provide the opportunity for the county council to consult with interested third parties and further public engagement.

Cuadrilla now plans to complete all drilling operations in compliance with the extant planning permission and has told the Council that the works should be completed by mid‐September. The site will be suspended before the expiry of the temporary consent on 27 September.

In the interim, Cuadrilla will replace the current section 73 application with a full planning application to be submitted to the County Council in advance of the expiry of the current planning permission.

West Sussex County Council is continuing to receive objections to Cuadrilla’s proposals on an ongoing basis, which include concerns about the failure of the existing conditions to deal appropriately with air quality and water impacts and the potential impacts on groundwater quality. The objectors also say that the application contains inadequate information about water use and impacts on water.

Describing Cuadrilla’s plans for Balcombe as “a dog’s dinner”, environmental NGO Greenpeace said it was not yet clear whether the move was a shift of direction or if the company had “merely got its sums wrong”.

Greenpeace added that the local council now had the opportunity to revisit its previous “highly controversial” decision to give Cuadrilla the green light in Balcombe.