June 2014 fracking timeline
An at-a-glance view of June’s news about fracking and onshore oil and gas. For the current month’s news click here
Tories under attack over Sussex oil and gas drilling
27th June 2014 The debate over oil drilling in Balcombe has turned against local and national Conservative politicians this month. Letters to the local paper, the Mid-Sussex Times, have criticised the Government, Conservative-led West Sussex County Council and the local Tory MP.
Guest post by Caroline Lucas MP: “Campaigners spy signs of concern among frackers”
26th June 2014 Does the NATO Secretary General really believe that Russia is secretly the puppet master behind efforts to stop shale gas extraction in Europe, or is it – asks UK Green Party MP Caroline Lucas − just an indication of the growing effectiveness of anti-fracking campaigns? […]
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 […]
Oil field visit “falsely assured” county councillors who decided Cuadrilla’s planning application
24th June 2014 County councillors who went on an information visit to an oil field weren’t told about two pollution incidents which took four years to fix, according to details released today (24/6/14) under the Freedom of Information Act.
Sussex Police used covert intelligence-gathering at Balcombe anti-fracking protests
21st June 2014 A document released under the Freedom of Information Act has confirmed that the Sussex Police operation at last year’s Balcombe anti-fracking protests used covert intelligence-gathering. This had been suspected by campaigners but not previously stated by police.
Two weeks for West Sussex and Cuadrilla to respond to legal challenge over Balcombe drilling decision
20th June 2014 West Sussex County Council and the drilling company, Cuadrilla, have until the beginning of July to respond to a legal challenge by Balcombe residents.
Sussex Police says report on Balcombe protests will help future protest policing
18th June 2014 This afternoon Sussex Police said the independent review of its operation at the Balcombe anti-fracking protests, published by InvestigatingBalcombeAndCuadrillla.com two days ago, would help in its future approach to policing protests.
Sussex Police caught “off guard” by Balcombe anti-fracking protests – official report
16th June 2014 Sussex Police was taken by surprise by last year’s anti-fracking protests at Balcombe – even though it had been warned several weeks before that they could happen, an official report concluded.
Legal challenge by Balcombe residents’ group to Cuadrilla’s planning permission gets underway
13th June 2014 Lawyers for a Balcombe residents’ group have issued legal proceedings in the High Court in an attempt to overturn Cuadrilla’s planning permission for drilling in the village. Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association (FFBRA), which has 312 members, is taking legal action against both West Sussex County […]
DRILL OR DROP? 