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.
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 […]
West Sussex councillors did not follow spirit or letter of government policy in refusing application – Celtique Energie
22nd July 2014 The drilling company whose plans for two oil exploration wells between Wisborough Green and Kirdford were refused this morning has described its application as “compliant, comprehensive and of high quality”.
“Legal blockade” to prevent Wisborough Green drilling
22nd July 2014 Nine residents and landowners around a potential drilling site near Wisborough Green announced yesterday they had formed a “legal blockade” to prevent gas and oil exploration under their property.
Anti-fracking campaigner fails to overturn guilty verdict from Balcombe protests
18th July 2014 An anti-fracking campaigner accused of shoulder-barging a police officer at last year’s protests at Balcombe has failed to overturn his conviction.
Celtique Energie seeks postponement of decision on Kirdford/Wisborough Green drilling plans
14th July 2014 Celtique Energie is seeking a postponement of the decision by West Sussex County Council on its plans to drill an exploratory oil or gas well between Kirdford and Wisborough Green. If this is not granted, the company has threatened to appeal or withdraw the entire […]
Sussex police commissioner defends right to protest – but can’t reveal what the Balcombe police said to Cuadrilla
10th July 2014 The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner said she would defend to her “last breath” the right to protest. But answering questions about last year’s anti-fracking demonstrations at Balcombe, she could not say whether police passed personal information about demonstrators to the oil exploration company, Cuadrilla.
Fracking Week in Westminster (June 30-July 4)
5th July 2014 Transcripts of parliamentary questions about fracking and shale gas Cabinet committee on developing shale gas Simplifying regulation Fracking licences Flood risks in fracking areas Changes to the trespass laws Community benefits With thanks to Theyworkforyou.com
Government accused of blocking the release of information on fracking industry contacts
27th June 2014 The Department of Energy and Climate Change is criticised today for failing to release details of its contact with oil and gas companies on the issue of fracking.
Delay to appeal for dog-walking anti-fracking campaigner convicted after Balcombe protests
25th June 2014 A veteran environmental campaigner will have to wait another three months to challenge convictions arising from the Balcombe anti-fracking protests. Nick Ward, 52, of Cambridge, expected to appeal this morning against guilty verdicts for obstructing the highway and criminal damage. But his case at Hove […]
DRILL OR DROP? 