The Telegraph: Fracking: Tory ex-minister Nick Herbert opposes drilling in West Sussex village

A former Tory minister is leading opposition to attempts to explore for shale oil in a picturesque West Sussex village, in a blow to Government attempts to kick-start fracking across Britain.

Nick Herbert MP urged councillors to throw out Celtique Energie’s bid to drill near Wisborough Green, warning: “Rural West Sussex cannot become a carelessly industrialised landscape.”

A vote on the plans had been scheduled for Tuesday, but on Monday West Sussex council said it had agreed to defer a decision after a "last minute submission" by Celtique.

Mr Herbert, the former policing minister, said that local residents were united against the company's plans “because of the huge disruption” they would face from lorries going to and from the site on “totally unsuitable” roads.
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