August 2015 fracking headlines
Our digest of August’s headlines about fracking, shale and onshore oil and gas developments – and opposition to them – in the UK and around the world.
Lancashire group seeks UK help to raise £45,000 to fight Cuadrilla’s fracking appeals
Campaigners in the Fylde area of Lancashire are asking people across the UK to help it fight Cuadrilla’s fracking appeals. They say the result of the appeals will set a precedent for fracking applications across the country.
Updated: Celtique Energie ordered to pay council costs over abandoned appeal
Celtique Energie has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds of costs to a campaign group and West Sussex County Council after withdrawing its appeal over plans for exploratory drilling.
Ministers to override local councils on fracking applications
As widely predicted, the government has announced measures to take decisions on fracking plans out of local authority hands. It will also consider ruling where companies appeal against a refusal of planning permission. A statement this morning by the Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, and the Communities’ Secretary, Greg […]
Dudleston CBM appeal dropped as IGas pulls out of Shropshire site
Dart Energy has dropped its appeal over plans to drill for coal bed methane near Ellesmere in Shropshire. The company’s owners, IGas, also announced today it was abandoning the site. Local campaigners have welcomed the decision. Frack Free Dudleston said this afternoon it was “delighted” with the news.
Cuadrilla to appeal against Lancashire fracking refusals; “blatant disregard for local people”, say campaigners
As expected, Cuadrilla is to appeal against the refusal of its two applications to frack in the Fylde area of Lancashire. Campaigners said the appeals disregarded local democracy and would put further pressure on residents.
Dudleston camp departs as lapsed access agreement blocks Dart’s CBM drilling plan
Dart Energy’s trouble-hit plans to test drill for coal bed methane at Dudleston Heath in Shropshire now look doomed. The licence giving access to the proposed site at Brooklands Farm has lapsed and campaigners who blockaded the entrance have begun dismantling their protection camp. The local opposition group, […]
Council blocks residents from presenting “valid reasons” for refusing Preston New Road fracking application
Opponents of Cuadrilla’s plans to frack at Preston New Road in the Fylde say their barristers have confirmed there are valid reasons to refuse the application and that the risk of costs would be small if it went to appeal. The Preston New Road Action Group wants to […]
Dart Energy fails to block cross-examination by Dudleston campaigners at planning inquiry
Dart Energy will have to face cross-examination by a local campaign group in its planning dispute over coal bed methane exploration in Shropshire.
Inquiry into Europa’s Surrey Hills drilling plan hears final arguments
Supporters and opponents of a scheme to drill for oil in the Surrey Hills had their last chance today to persuade a planning inspector of their arguments.
DRILL OR DROP? 