The arguments so frequently put forward by the Government regarding fracking are purely economic and make no mention of the health risks from exploratory drilling and testing phases as well as from the fracking phase itself.

People living close to the drilling and fracking sites are at greater risk of respiratory health deterioration (as evidenced in Australia) and also cancer, birth defects and infertility because of the chemicals.

I doubt we could compensate people for that kind of suffering and I doubt adding these problems to an already strained NHS has been calculated.

Our Government repetitively states that the UK will have tighter regulations than the US but current regulations are actually being loosened.

In December 2013, Dallas, Texas, passed a ban on drilling for gas within 1,500ft of a dwelling or school. The industry there is ten years older than in the UK. Let's learn from that.

If the Lower Stumble site in Balcombe was in Texas, drilling for gas would now be banned (the closest residence is about 1,300ft from the site).

It is the same situation at the Fernhurst site, the nearest home being only 1,100ft away.

So much for UK regulation being tougher than in the US.

John Butcher, Balcombe