A campaign group opposing oil testing in the West Sussex village of Balcombe has raised enough money to apply for permission to challenge a High Court judgement.
Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association (FFBRA) said its crowdfunder had raised £5,500. This allows it to submit an appeal against the October 2023 ruling of Mrs Justice Lieven.
She dismissed the group’s bid to overturn the decision of a planning inspector, who granted permission for a well test by Angus Energy in the village.
The company had previously been refused planning permission for the test in a unanimous vote by West Sussex County Council’s planning committee.
FFBRA said it expected to hear whether its application had been successful by January or February 2024. The case would be heard at the Court of Appeal, usually before three judges. It could take six-nine months to come to court.
FFBRA said:
“While we are in the process of appealing the recent judgment, Angus cannot return to Balcombe.”
The controversial oil site at Balcombe made national headlines in summer 2013, when there were daily protests against drilling by Cuadrilla.
Updated 14 December 2023 to clarify that a decision on the application is expected by January or February 2024.
DRILL OR DROP? 
Hi Ruth Thanks for the write up. Just to clarify …. We put in the application for an appeal on the 31st October. It is in the process of being considered by a judge (desk exercise). January or February 2024 is our lawyers’ best estimate as to when we will that judge’s decision (ie whether or not our appeal can be heard in court). The £5500 only covers the costs if the application. If we are allowed to have an appeal then we will have to raise another £21500. Best wishes Sue
Thanks Sue. I’ve updated the article to make this clear.
Hi Ruth
This is the sentence that is incorrect
FFBRA said its legal team would submit the application for an appeal in January or February 2024.
Best wishes Sue
It’s time those against an energy industry take a long hard look at grid watch:
We still consume over 2% of daily coal in our UK energy mix!
The lack of education and understanding from politicians and those not in the industry is lunacy!
https://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/
Yes. Although I find this particular page a lot clearer though.
https://gridwatch.co.uk/
It’s pretty obvious that gas is what keeps the lights on, when the wind doesn’t blow, so we need as much of it as we can get.