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Cuadrilla set to start test drilling near Balcombe Balcombe oil drilling: Protesters block Cuadrilla truck
(about 11 hours later)
An energy company is set to start exploratory drilling for oil near a village in West Sussex. Protesters have blocked a lorry entering a site where test drilling for oil is to take place.
Cuadrilla obtained the waste permit from the Environment Agency earlier - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out the work near Balcombe. About 50 activists stopped the vehicle, which was carrying equipment, outside Balcombe, West Sussex.
Drilling equipment started arriving at the site this week and test drilling is expected to start from Saturday. Cuadrilla plans to start drilling a 3,000ft (914m) vertical well and a 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore to the south of the village on Saturday.
Residents and national campaigners are planning to protest near the village school on Thursday. The company said it was a temporary operation and any further activity would need fresh permission.
A "Great Gas Gala" will be held by campaigners protesting over fears of a large increase in the number of lorries in the area, and Cuadrilla's involvement in shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Sussex Police said officers were at the site of the protest.
'Not the solution'
Campaigners are also demonstrating over fears the tests will lead to a large increase in the number of lorries in the area, and about Cuadrilla's involvement in shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Brenda Pollack, regional campaigner for Friends of the Earth South East, said: "Shale gas and oil are not the solution to our energy challenges.Brenda Pollack, regional campaigner for Friends of the Earth South East, said: "Shale gas and oil are not the solution to our energy challenges.
"They threaten local communities, pollute our atmosphere and there's plenty of evidence they won't bring down fuel prices."They threaten local communities, pollute our atmosphere and there's plenty of evidence they won't bring down fuel prices.
"It's time to end the nation's costly addiction to dirty fossil fuels and build a clean future based on energy efficiency and harnessing the power of the wind, waves and sun.""It's time to end the nation's costly addiction to dirty fossil fuels and build a clean future based on energy efficiency and harnessing the power of the wind, waves and sun."
'New permissions' The tests will see if oil or gas, if found, could be extracted.
The energy company said: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing. 'Oil drilling only'
Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out the work near Balcombe.
A spokesman for the energy firm said: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing.
"Should Cuadrilla wish to undertake further activity, they would need to apply for new permissions and licences from the relevant regulatory authorities."Should Cuadrilla wish to undertake further activity, they would need to apply for new permissions and licences from the relevant regulatory authorities.
"We have communicated what we are doing to the local community through information sessions and written communications."We have communicated what we are doing to the local community through information sessions and written communications.
"Furthermore we have been in regular contact with the parish council and other local councils as well as going through all the necessary planning and permit applications to undertake this work. "Furthermore we have been in regular contact with the parish council and other local councils as well as going through all the necessary planning and permit applications to undertake this work."
"We will continue to inform the community of our actions as we progress."
West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.