Frack-Free West Sussex petition aims for 800+ signatures in a fortnight
11th August 2014 Campaigners calling for a ban on fracking in West Sussex have two weeks left to collect more than 800 signatures to secure a county council debate on the issue.
Ruth Hayhurst
Investigative journalist and environmental writer. Specialising in UK onshore oil and gas, fracking and the reaction to it.
New opinion survey claims 57% support for fracking
11th August 2014 An opinion survey for the UK Onshore Operators’ Group out today found 57% of respondents thought fracking for shale gas should go ahead, while only 16% were opposed. 27% said ‘Don’t know’.
MP criticises redacted fracking report
11th August 2014 The Green MP Caroline Lucas has accused the government of hiding information from the public on fracking after a report on the impact of shale gas on the rural economy was heavily redacted.
July 2014 fracking timeline
An at-a-glance view of July’s news about fracking and onshore oil and gas. For the current month’s news click here
Balcombe campaigners welcome judicial review hearing on Cuadrilla planning decision
1st August 2014 A group of Balcombe residents have welcomed the go-ahead for their legal challenge into the decision to grant planning permission to Cuadrilla.
Breaking: Balcombe residents win right to challenge Cuadrilla planning decision
1st August 2014 A group of Balcombe residents has won the right to challenge in court the decision by West Sussex County Council to grant planning permission to Cuadrilla to flow test and flare in the village. A judicial review will now be heard by a judge in […]
Balcombe one year on – new interview
31st July 2014 We’ve added another interview to the review of life in Balcombe one year after the start of protests in the village against Cuadrilla and fracking. Alison Stevenson, the chair of Balcombe Parish Council, reflects on: Tensions in the village The No Dash for Gas camp […]
What Francis told Radio 4 about fracking and methane emissions, water use, contamination and jobs
30th July 2014 Francis Egan, chief executive of the drilling company, Cuadrilla, went on the radio yesterday to answer questions from listeners about fracking. Mr Egan rarely gives interviews or answers questions from journalists. So we’ve transcribed his answers to the points raised by listeners to BBC Radio […]
Government’s licence-to-drill consultation ignored vast majority of responses
30th July 2014 Ministers ignored the views of the vast majority of people and organisations who responded to the government consultation on new oil and gas drilling licences.
Balcombe – one year on
25th July 2014 A year ago today, the first lorry arrived to deliver equipment to Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site at Balcombe. Its passage was blocked by a group of anti-fracking campaigners. The stand-off marked the start of a protest that lasted 65 days. It made Balcombe a household […]
DRILL OR DROP? 