VILLAGERS fighting plans for an oil well in the South Downs National Park have been backed by parish councils around Petersfield and taken to the streets to protest as their campaign gathers momentum.

Plans to extract oil at the Markwells Wood site near Forestside by UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG) are now with the South Downs National Park Authority.

On Monday (October 17) campaigners aired their anger to the proposal publicly near the proposed well site which is about six miles south of Petersfield and just inside West Sussex.

And so far four local councils also appear to be opposed to the UKOG proposal; a planning application of more than 120 pages has been lodged with South Downs National Park Authority.

A Rogate Parish Council spokesman said: “So far four local parish councils have voted to object, and many more both north and south of the downs are to discuss at their upcoming council meetings.”

Rogate council is awaiting a report from Graham Warren, a former Environment Agency hydrogeologist, who just completed a hydrogeological study of the Markwells Wood area.

He has been focussing on the likely impact of any failure over the 20 year life of the proposed well, which will use horizontal drilling to access oil bearing rock. The oil will then be extracted by under pressure chemicals being forced into the rock, which will push the oil out.

Chemicals used in the process include hydrchloric and/or hydrofluoride acid.

It is expected Mr Warren’s report will reveal there is a fault line that runs South from Markwell Wood close to underground water reservoirs – aquifers – and suggest that accidents at the well site could see chemicals pollute the water.

The village of Elsted is around five miles north east of the South Holt Farm site earmarked for the well by UKOG.

Elsted councillors fear if the application is approved by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), more will follow

They also believe the plans go against the key purposes and duties of the SDNPA, namely to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.

Councillors also have “real concerns” that drilling could damage the South Downs Aquifer but the applicants have vehemently denied there will be a risk to water supplies.

Residents have until Thursday, November 17, to pass comment on the application, for more details type 04679 into the search box after following the link at www.southdowns.gov.uk