Celtique Energie is planning to drill at the Wisborough Green site to test for the presence of commercial oil or gas reserves but residents have denied the company permission to drill under their land.
This is repeating the tactic used by opponents to fracking in the South Downs National Park in February this year.
According to Greenpeace campaigners a letter has been sent by solicitors representing the landowners to Ed Davey and Celtique Energie stating the company does not have permission to drill under their land, and that if they do, the residents would consider legal action.
Under current legislation, drilling companies need permission from landowners before drilling under their properties, although the government is consulting on changes to this law.
On Thursday a planning committee recommended that West Sussex County Council refuse permission for test drilling at the site ahead of a planning meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday 22 July).
The council’s planning committee stated that “the proposed development has the potential to result in unacceptable adverse impacts on the highway network” despite traffic calming measures proposed by Celtique Energie.
Celtique Energie’s chief executive Geoff Davies said: “All drilling associated with Celtique’s proposed exploration well near Kirdford/Wisborough Green would take place entirely within the land ownership of the land owner with whom Celtique has entered into a leasing agreement.”
He stated that any future drilling on the site would be subject to any “positive data” from the initial test, further community engagement and a separate planning application.
Davies added: “If horizontal drilling were proposed as part of a future planning application, we would also fully comply with the planning and regulatory regime in place and the law with respect to drilling under the land of neighbouring landowners.”
Greenpeace UK energy campaigner Simon Clydesdale said: “Council experts, as well as the thousands of local people who have objected to this application, have seen through Celtique’s smokescreen and recommended putting a stop to their plans.
“Local councillors should listen to these warnings and tell Celtique to pack up and go home – Sussex is not for shale.”