This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-23462586
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sussex Police arrest Balcombe oil drill protesters | Sussex Police arrest Balcombe oil drill protesters |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Some protesters stopping lorries at a site where exploratory oil drilling is to start have been arrested. | |
| A BBC reporter at the scene in West Sussex said up to 10 arrests were made and the main gate had been cleared. | |
| Cuadrilla has been given permission to drill a 3,000ft (914m) well and 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore near Balcombe. | Cuadrilla has been given permission to drill a 3,000ft (914m) well and 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore near Balcombe. |
| Campaigners fear the firm could also carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Cuadrilla said any further activity would need fresh permission. | Campaigners fear the firm could also carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Cuadrilla said any further activity would need fresh permission. |
| About 75 police officers were involved in the operation to make arrests on Friday, BBC reporter Mark Sanders said. | |
| The blockade started on Thursday with about 100 protesters at the site. | The blockade started on Thursday with about 100 protesters at the site. |
| Protester Natalie Hynde said about 25 people formed a chain through the night. | Protester Natalie Hynde said about 25 people formed a chain through the night. |
| Ms Hynde said the protesters, who were mainly from outside the village, had received "overwhelming support" from local people. | Ms Hynde said the protesters, who were mainly from outside the village, had received "overwhelming support" from local people. |
| She said 82% of local people opposed the test drilling. | She said 82% of local people opposed the test drilling. |
| 'Very British' | 'Very British' |
| She alleged any fracking that went ahead in the area would affect future generations because it would pollute the water table. | She alleged any fracking that went ahead in the area would affect future generations because it would pollute the water table. |
| Asked if the protesters were using scare tactics to shock local people, she said: "I think people need to be shocked." | Asked if the protesters were using scare tactics to shock local people, she said: "I think people need to be shocked." |
| Earlier on Friday, BBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins said the protest appeared to be a "very British stand-off" and the site felt like a little village. | Earlier on Friday, BBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins said the protest appeared to be a "very British stand-off" and the site felt like a little village. |
| Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out work to the south of Balcombe. | Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out work to the south of Balcombe. |
| A spokesman for the firm said on Thursday: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing. | A spokesman for the firm said on Thursday: "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." |
| He said Cuadrilla had held information sessions and written to the local community, and had contacted all local councils. | He said Cuadrilla had held information sessions and written to the local community, and had contacted all local councils. |
| On Thursday, protesters blocked a lorry trying to enter the site. | On Thursday, protesters blocked a lorry trying to enter the site. |
| The vehicle had its brake lines cut during the demonstration, Sussex Police said. | The vehicle had its brake lines cut during the demonstration, Sussex Police said. |
| Officers said the truck was quickly repaired without "interference from any demonstrators". | Officers said the truck was quickly repaired without "interference from any demonstrators". |
| 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. |