Information event on fracking in West Sussex

West Sussex residents, who would like to know more about oil and gas exploration and extraction, are being invited to an information event next month.
There is strong feeling one both sides of the fracking debate as shown by this demonstration outside County Hall North in Horsham recently - photo by Steve CobbThere is strong feeling one both sides of the fracking debate as shown by this demonstration outside County Hall North in Horsham recently - photo by Steve Cobb
There is strong feeling one both sides of the fracking debate as shown by this demonstration outside County Hall North in Horsham recently - photo by Steve Cobb

The free drop-in session is being organised by West Sussex County Council and will take place in the Assembly Rooms at The Council House in North Street, Chichester on November 8.

It will be the second event of its kind to be organised by the county council following a successful event at Pulborough Village Hall back in June, and is in response to increasing demand for more information about the exploration and extraction of oil and gas across the county.

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People who want to know more about the processes involved, and the role of WSCC as the local planning authority, which has to determine applications, are invited along.

However, there will not be site specific discussions where planning applications are live.

The event will be attended by officers from the Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Energy and Climate Change as well as the county council.

Representatives from Frack Free Balcombe Residents Association, KKWG (Keep Kirdford and Wisborough ‘Green’) and Professor David Sanderson, professor of Tectonics and Geomechanics at Southampton University, are also expected to attend.

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Council leader Louise Goldsmith said: “It’s fantastic that this event will be supported by partners such as the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the HSE and the Environment Agency who we are closely working with.

“Understandably there is very strong feeling among residents about the possibility of fracking in West Sussex. There is also a lot of misleading information out there and we really hope that this event, which draws together experts in their field, will help provide those who attend with a greater knowledge.”

The event runs from 10am to 4pm with regular information sessions throughout the day. People can drop in at any time to gather information or ask questions.

However, due to limited capacity within the Assembly Rooms, residents are asked to confirm their attendance in advance by emailing [email protected]