STATEMENT – MARKWELLS WOOD – Updated
17th November 2016
Portsmouth Water is working with the Developer and the Environment Agency to address concerns regarding the Markwell’s Wood planning application.
Rod Porteous, Engineering Director, said:
“From our review of the initial planning application, we have raised to the South Downs National Park Authority concerns over the potential risk to water contamination. These include issues such as a fuller evaluation of the risks to drinking water supplies. As a result we are working closely with the developer UKOG, their expert consultants, and the Environment Agency to try and resolve these issues. The provision of safe and high quality water is a cornerstone of public health and is our primary duty.
We arranged a meeting, which was held on 16th November 2016, involving both the Developer and the Environment Agency to discuss these concerns. UKOG and their consultants are now fully aware of our concerns.
UKOG will need to produce a revised hydrogeological risk assessment. This is a crucial piece of work that will assess the potential risks presented by the proposed development, the sensitivity of the chalk aquifer and surrounding environment, and the likelihood of the risks being realised. We will review this work on completion and provide our feedback to the South Downs National Park Authority. Members of the public will also have opportunity to review and comment on the assessment.
We will continue to work with UKOG, their consultants and the Environment Agency to address concerns raised to the South Downs National Park Authority regarding the Markwell’s Wood planning application.”
We work closely with the Environment Agency and local planning authorities to ensure the water environment is protected and that we are able to deliver safe, high quality water to our customers both in the short and long term.
We continue to take samples every day at all stages of the treatment and delivery process throughout our supply network to ensure the water is safe to drink and of high quality.
The Environment Agency has produced guidance on environmental permits for the oil and gas sector:
For more information regarding the Markwell’s Wood planning application please visit:
www.southdowns.gov.uk/markwells-wood/
For more information please contact Ian Limb on 02392 499888