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.”
April 2014 fracking timeline
An at-a-glance view of April’s news about fracking and onshore oil and gas. For the current month’s news click here 30/4/14 The Guardian reports on REPOWERBalcombe, the scheme which aims to supply the equivalent of 100% of the village’s electricity demand through community-owned, locally-generated renewable energy.
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.
Planning report on Cuadrilla application relied on incorrect information and advice from “deficient” organisations – Balcombe residents group
29th April 2014 A group of Balcombe villagers has vowed to challenge the decision to grant planning permission to Cuadrilla because it was based on incorrect information
Lone villager speaks in favour of Cuadrilla’s application at Balcombe
29th April 2014 One Balcombe villager spoke in support of Cuadrilla’s planning application to test the viability of its oil exploration well when it came before councillors this morning.
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.
DRILL OR DROP? 