Cheers greet acquittal of Balcombe poet on anti-fracking protest charge – full report
1st May 2014 Cheers from the public gallery greeted the words of District Judge Peter Crabtree: “Mr Welsh you are free to go.”
Balcombe poet acquitted on public order offence
1st May 2014 Poet Simon Welsh, who was arrested for singing outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site during last year’s anti-fracking protests at Balcombe, has been acquitted of a public order offence. Mr Welsh, 35, of High Street, Balcombe, denied he failed to comply with a condition imposed by […]
Cuadrilla responds to questions on community engagement at Balcombe
30th April 2014 On April 16th, we asked Cuadrilla to respond to an article on the CBI website, which used the company as a case study of community engagement and building community trust. We also asked Cuadrilla to respond to statements from the Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association. Cuadrilla […]
17 issues West Sussex could not (or would not) consider when deciding Cuadrilla’s Balcombe planning application
30th April 2014 Yesterday, the planning committee of West Sussex County Council granted planning permission to Cuadrilla to test the viability of its oil exploration well at Balcombe. This is despite nearly 900 objections to the public consultation, a 5,000-name petition against the application and presentations in opposition […]
Campaigners dismayed by Cuadrilla’s Balcombe permission; committee chair says debate was robust
30th April 2014 Friends of the Earth described the approval of Cuadrilla’s application to test drill decision at Balcombe as “extremely disappointing”. The organisation’s south east campaigner, Brenda Pollack, said the planning committee of West Sussex County Council had not listened to the views of local people.
Balcombe residents’ group vows to fight on after Cuadrilla wins planning permission
29th April 2014 The Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association is considering a legal challenge to the decision by West Sussex County Council’s planning committee to grant permission to Cuadrilla to test the viability of its exploratory oil well.
70%+ of Balcombe anti-fracking charges acquitted at trial – latest update
25th April 2014 More than 70% of the charges that went to trial following anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s exploration site in Balcombe have now resulted in acquittals or were dropped during the court case.
Green MEP sends message of support to Balcombe anti-fracking campaigners
April 24th 2014 Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South East of England, sent a message of support today to Balcombe residents opposing Cuadrilla’s planning application to flow test its exploratory oil well in the village.
Admission to Cuadrilla planning meeting limited to 100 and by ticket only
24th April 2014 West Sussex County Council says no more than 100 people will be able to attend the planning committee meeting which will consider Cuadrilla’s application to test drill its well at Balcombe. To gain admission you must hold a ticket issued by the council. And to […]
CBI accused of “faking Cuadrilla community engagement with Balcombe residents”
19th April 2014 Balcombe residents have accused the Confederation of British Industry of faking Cuadrilla’s record on community engagement with the village. The CBI used the oil and gas exploration company as a case study on its website to illustrate the importance of building trust with local communities. […]
DRILL OR DROP? 