A group of Sussex residents have joined the UK’s first ‘legal blockade’ to stop a potential fracking site in the heart of one of Britain’s national parks.
The move comes as a direct challenge to the government after they hinted at possible changes to trespass law in order to make it easier for companies to drill under people’s homes.
In a legal move that could be replicated by communities across the UK, solicitors acting on behalf of residents near the village of Fernhurst have written to oil and gas company Celtique Energie and energy secretary Ed Davey stating that they explicitly deny permission for horizontal drilling under their land and properties.
The company submitted an application to the South Downs National Park Authority in December seeking permission to drill for shale gas on a plot of land leased from a local landowner. The licence application is that of a typical fracking well, with both a vertical and a horizontal borehole – the latter usually stretching out for up to two miles below ground.
According to environmental NGO Greenpeace, opposition from five residents whose land encloses the site from nearly all sides means that even if it found shale gas, the company would not have enough space to run a full-scale fracking well
The announcement comes just days after media reports indicated the government was considering changing trespass law to allow fracking companies to drill under people’s homes without the risk of being taken to court. Under the current legislation, shale gas prospectors need permission from landowners before drilling under their properties or must obtain special permission from a court.
The group of five Fernhurst residents who have thrown down the gauntlet include Lord Cowdray, owner of the Cowdray Park Polo Club and estate. He has already warned about the impact that ‘flares, trucks and 40m tall gas rigs’ will have on the national park.
A mass legal block against fracking launched by Greenpeace in October now has the backing of about 25,000 people from around the UK.
A public consultation launched by the South Downs National Park Authority on Celtique Energie’s drilling bid triggered thousands of complaints, causing the park’s official website to crash under the overwhelming response. The Park Authority is expected to take a decision on the Celtique application in March.
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We are exhibiting at WWEM – Water, Wastewater and Environmental Management Expo, which is one of the eight exhibitions taking place at the NEC, Birmingham 17-18 September 2025 as part of ESS Expo 2025. Please come along and visit us at Stand WW-S60.
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