Environmental campaigners and Scotland’s energy minister have criticised the government for ignoring opposition and going ahead with plans to change the trespass laws in favour of shale gas drilling. An industry group said the decision would pave the way for shale gas development in the UK.
The government is going ahead with plans to change the trespass law to give underground access to oil and gas drilling companies, despite more than 40,000 objections.
30th July 2014 Ministers ignored the views of the vast majority of people and organisations who responded to the government consultation on new oil and gas drilling licences.
7th June 2014 Below is a transcript of a written statement by Energy Minister, Michael Fallon, made on June 5th on the Government’s plans to change the trespass laws for onshore oil and gas companies. For more parliamentary discussion on shale gas and fracking this week, click: Latest Fracking […]
12th April 2014 The Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association (FFBRA) has called for a block on all future onshore oil and gas licences in the UK. It also says Environmental Impact Assessments should be carried out on all existing licences.
11th April 2014 Oil and gas exploration should be banned in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) unless it is in the national interest and only when the circumstances are exceptional. That’s the view of the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty* (NAAONB), in response to […]
17th March 2014 Contamination of air and water, noise and traffic disturbance, and threats to local wildlife were the main issues raised by people objecting to Cuadrilla’s latest planning application at Balcombe. The public consultation by West Sussex County Council, which ended on March 13th, attracted 925 objections. Of […]
17th March 2014 Almost all the responses to the public consultation on Cuadrilla’s application to flow test its oil exploration well at Balcombe were objections. An analysis* of the comments by InvestigatingBalcombeAndCuadrilla.com found Key concerns were water and air pollution, traffic, noise and the impact on wildlife More […]
Cuadrilla has written to Balcombe residents telling them it has no plans ever to frack its oil exploration well on the edge of village. The letter, signed by company Chief Executive, Francis Egan, says the oil-bearing rocks below the site at Lower Stumble are naturally fractured. Mr Egan […]
FrackFreeSussex has welcomed the unanimous vote by Wisborough Green Parish Council to oppose a planning application by Celtique Energie for an exploration rig near the village. The group said: “Brilliant example of what can be achieved, against all odds, when a community unites, plans and acts with one voice!” […]