FFBRA AGM March 2018
The FFBRA AGM saw a full Bramble Hall despite the ‘Beast from the East’ The FFBRA AGM appointed Douglas Wragg as Chairman, Louisa Delpy as Vice Chair, Rachel Hall as Secretary, Rob Greer as Treasurer, and Professor Lawrence Dunne, Malcolm Kenward, Charles Metcalfe, Ed Pack, Sue Taylor as committee members and reviewed the accounts.
Formal proceedings were followed by a fascinating talk from Professor David Smythe, a retired geophysicist, giving an analysis of the geology and faulting around Balcombe, and its relevance to well-drilling and oil exploration. The presentation highlighted the key geological differences between exploration in the USA and the High Weald. He emphasised how the High Weald is much more susceptible to pollution owing to the many natural fault lines in its geology.
Local Councils across the UK are starting to turn down shale oil and gas applications Seven out of eight planning applications from the shale industry have been turned down this year; including by Conservative councils. The only planning application that was approved was Balcombe.
The National Trust has refused to allow seismic testing The National Trust is resisting a lawsuit by hydrocarbon and plastics company INEOS to carry out seismic testing in Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. A letter was sent to the Prime Minister by a group of organisations including CPRE, WWF, Campaign for National Parks, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and many others, as well as academics, supporting the National Trust.
Major Yorkshire land-owners join the fight against the onshore oil industry Fifteen major owners of land in Yorkshire, with over 80,000 acres between them, have joined a campaign against INEOS to resist seismic testing on their land. They include Lord Howard of Castle Howard, Sir William Worsley of Hovingham Hall and Sir Richard Storey of Settrington House.
Send us your questions about oil and gas matters FFBRA are producing a comprehensive ‘Questions and Answers’ document about oil and gas drilling in Balcombe for the FFBRA website. Questions should be sent to sue@frackfreebalcombe.co.uk
West Sussex Joint Mineral Plan (consultation closed on March 14th 2018)A new mineral plan for Sussex is being developed by West Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park. FFBRA’s response to the consultation.