Stop Fossil Fuel Exploration in Balcombe an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Join us in protecting our village and the environment by donating to our cause to stop the Balcombe oil test. As a community, we are fighting against Angus Energy's plans to drill for oil in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, putting our village and the surrounding environment at risk.

We need your help to challenge the planning inspector's decision and take our case to the High Court.  With your support, we can raise the necessary funds to bring a statutory appeal under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning 1990, to quash the decision and put an end to hydrocarbon development and exploration in the Sussex High Weald.

The impact of the oil test on our village and the environment will be devastating. Since the summer of 2013 when the “Battle of Balcombe” erupted over the initial drilling of the well by Cuadrilla, the village has been battling to stop further work on the site.

It will bring air pollution, water pollution, noise and light pollution, as well as disrupt natural plant and animal habitats. The area is recognised as having special, national importance and value, commanding conservation of its beauty and tranquillity.

We are devastated Angus Energy can now return to Balcombe any time in the next three years to carry out months of activity.

• AIR POLLUTION: Flaring of noxious gases that will be carried across our village
• TRAFFIC: HGVs daily - passing directly by our primary school and church, Monday-Saturday, where 128 students cross the road each weekday
• WATER POLLUTION: Risk to the River Ouse and the nearby Ardingly Reservoir, with a stream just 15m from the bore hole
• NOISE & LIGHT POLLUTION: Day and night as once the testing starts it does not stop
• NATURAL PLANT AND ANIMAL HABITATS DISRUPTED
• LOCALS HAVE SAID NO: There have been 800 public objections, our Parish Council objected, our District Council objected and every member of the West Sussex County Council planning committee voted for refusal
• CLIMATE CRISIS BEING IGNORED
• DEFIES THE PROTECTED STATUS OF THE AREA: recognised as having special, national importance and value, commanding conservation of its beauty and tranquillity as an designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  
  

FFBRA have instructed Leigh Day and counsel, David Wolfe KC and Merrow Golden, to examine the legality of the Decision. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us reach our initial fundraising goal of £5,000 in the next 30 days and an additional £30,000 to cover potential legal costs after that.

By donating, you are not only supporting our village but also protecting the environment and setting a precedent for the entire region. The shale bed being targeted stretches from Kent to Hampshire, and if Angus can drill for oil in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, then nowhere is safe.

Join us in our fight to stop the Balcombe oil test and protect our village and the environment. Please donate now and make a difference!

ACT NOW TO HELP US.                                                               

Your donation will help protect this beautiful part of Britain. 

Thank you for your support.