The conflict consists of prospections and further extract shale gas through fracking. There is a strong opposition from the local and regional community that has been extended throughout the whole country. There was an official poll in which 85% of local population declared themselves against the fracking prospections. Nevertheless, the government granted the permits and the local population perceive the process and the activity as a deeply lack of democracy. |
| Name of conflict: | Exploratory fracking in Balcombe, UK |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| State or province: | West Sussex |
| Location of conflict: | Balcombe |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Shale gas fracking |
| Specific commodities: | Shale Gas |
| Project details | They are in the exploratory phase. The Company is drilling a well. |
| Project area: | 5 |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Affected Population: | 1765 |
| Start of the conflict: | 2011 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Cuadrilla |
| Relevant government actors: | UK government |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | No Fracking in Balcombe Society, No Dash for Gas, Frack off, Disabled people against the cuts, Fuel Poverty Action, Sussex Extreme Energy Resistance, Gasfield Free Sussex, Lewes Against Fracking, Ribble Estuary Against Fracking |
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Forms of mobilization: | Blockades Development of a network/collective action Involvement of national and international NGOs Land occupation Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Referendum other local consultations Street protest/marches Occupation of buildings/public spaces Arguments for the rights of mother nature Protest camp Protests at offices and houses of Members of the English Parliament. |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Project Status | Stopped |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Criminalization of activists Repression Withdrawal of company/investment 36 arrested people |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | further develop renewable energies |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
| Briefly explain: | Due to the social pressure, especially during summer 2013, the company withdrew an application to extend drilling and horizontal well testing at a site near Balcombe beyond September 28. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Contributor: | Amaranta Herrero |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 55 |