As a local (ex Coldharbour now living in Capel) resident, I think the main concern of the villagers in Coldharbour is the site of the drilling not the fact that the oil is to be extracted.

If you all know the area as you say you do then why drill in the proposed (difficult to get to with large lorries/tankers)site when you could just as easily drill in from just off the A24 Dual Carrigeway thus solving all the potential traffic problems that is the main concern of most objectors.

This would have the added advantage of protecting the AONB and not having a flare mast on top of one of the highest points in South Eastern England.