Anti-fracking campaigners at Brighton Magistrates Court
Anti-fracking campaigners mark the start of Balcombe protest trial of Caroline Lucas and 4 others. The trial is expected to last all week.
EA chair offered to speed up Cuadrilla’s permit application and intervene on Balcombe planning permission
23rd March 2014 According to documents seen by The Guardian, the chair of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith, offered last year to speed up a permit application by Cuadrilla. He also offered to intervene with West Sussex County Council on Cuadrilla’s planning application at Balcombe and identify further […]
Balcombe residents say Cuadrilla’s plans to flow test well risk harm, lack information and have no social licence
22nd March 2014 Cuadrilla’s latest planning application for Balcombe fails to meet planning policies, lacks key information, risks harm to residents and the environment and has no social licence – so said a group of Balcombe villagers this week.
Balcombe anti-fracking cases – courts update for week ending March 21st
21st March 2014 This week there were five court cases listed that arose from last year’s anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site at Balcombe. Here’s a summary of what happened with links to court reports.
Anti-fracking campaigner found guilty of obstruction – despite “unnecessary charge”
21st March 2014 A veteran environmental campaigner who walked with his aunt’s springer spaniel in front of a lorry delivering to Cuadrilla’s Balcombe drilling site was found guilty of obstruction this morning – even though the policeman who arrested him said the case should be dropped.
Balcombe Parish Council submits objection to Cuadrilla planning application
March 21st 2014 Balcombe Parish Council has submitted a formal objection to Cuadrilla’s planning application to flow test its exploration oil well. This was agreed unanimously at an extra-ordinary meeting on March 8th. The final document is now on the council’s website. Click here to view.
Poet recites statment in verse about arrest at anti-fracking protest
March 20th 2014 Simon Welsh, the poet arrested for singing outside the gate of Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site in Balcombe, explained in verse this afternoon why he thought he had done nothing wrong. Mr Welsh, 34, of High Street, Balcombe, went into the witness box at Brighton Magistrates […]
Balcombe anti-fracking case continues after judge rules there is a case to answer
The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the poet arrested while singing at the Balcombe anti-fracking protests, has ruled there is a case to answer and the hearing should continue. Mr Welsh, 34, of High Street, Balcombe, denies he failed to comply with a condition on protesting […]
Judge to hear legal argument in Caroline Lucas anti-fracking case
20th March 2014 A judge is expected to hear legal arguments this morning about the disclosure of information in the anti-fracking protest case involving the MP Caroline Lucas and four other campaigners. The full case, which is due start on Monday (24th March), was brought under Section 14 […]
Judge considers whether there is a case to answer in Balcombe anti-fracking protest case
19th March 2014 The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the Balcombe poet arrested at an anti-fracking demonstration while singing a protest song, has retired to consider whether to dismiss the case halfway through. Defence barrister, Tom Wainwright argued there was no case to answer because the […]
DRILL OR DROP? 