TODAY’S announcement that UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG) has withdrawn plans to drill up to four oil wells in the South Downs is fantastic news.

The company had been due to launch a 20-year oil drilling project in ancient woodland at Markwell’s Wood.

But with the application due to be determined later this month, company bosses pulled out.

We are facing a difficult future in terms of our fuel generation.

However, we must draw a line in the sand when it comes to drilling in our national parks.

The South Downs should be afforded the greatest protection against developments, drilling and the like.

We often take this fantastic stretch of countryside for granted.

It has been formed over millions of years to become the area we know and love today.

It is enjoyed by millions each year and provides a livelihood for many.

Yet it is a delicate ecosystem which could be so easily, irrevocably damaged.

The reasons for UKOG’s withdrawal have not been made clear.

If they had forged ahead, opposition to the scheme would likely have been immense.

We may even have seen a repeat of the scenes we witnessed at Balcombe a few years ago.

Hopefully if it came to that, decision makers would have made a stand and told the company where to go.

That would have sent a clear message to other companies eyeing up our national park.

But for now there is relief that Markwell’s Wood will remain a beautiful area of ancient woodland.