Dear National Park Authority,

I am sure I am not alone in becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of fracking within the UK’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The South Downs National Park Authority, which is considering an application from Celtique Energie, has stated on its website it cannot ban hydraulic fracturing within the National Park for fear that “an outright ban on fracking may result in challenges to the High Court on the basis that an application was ‘pre-judged’”.

The situation is unacceptable. We all know unconventional techniques such as hydraulic fracturing and the infrastructure on which they depend are not suitable activities for National Parks and AONBs.

I am aware conventional oil production takes place within our National Parks already – these activities existed prior to National Park designation.

Unconventional operations are not compatible, or reconcilable with, the environmental and sustainability criteria of National Parks or AONBs.

The UK’s National Parks and AONBs are protected under under numerous UK legislature.

I see no validity in the assertion that banning fracking may result in legal challenges.

It is time these authorities showed some authority and declare our National Parks and AONBs frack-free zones.

Michael Newcomb, formerly of Mid Sussex, now Spain