There are a number of key elements that I feel contributed to this success.

• The campaign was fronted by a grass-roots protest group of local concerned residents – The Vale Says No!
• This group in itself was fronted by a tenacious and articulate young lady who became the identifiable figurehead and spokesperson for the campaign. (‘The Erin Brokovich of the Vale’)
• There was access to a reasonable level of technical understanding of the fracking process that helped keep the focus on the truly important aspects and avoid some of the red herrings.
• The active members of the campaign group were all well-educated, willing to learn and well connected.
• Key local politicians were courted from an early stage, and getting support from across the political spectrum certainly helped.
• Local media (press, TV and radio) were kept fully informed so that they knew they could follow an evolving story. Relationships were fostered with key journalists.
• A series of public meetings in all the surrounding communities were held – and were well promoted and well attended. They were grounded in an explanation of what is known and what is not known; were not allowed to become scare-mongering exercises; and had a degree of credibility, as a result, that opponents struggled to counter.
• The campaign engaged with the planning process and the local planners from an early stage, with the Wales context offering the opportunity to request the calling in of the application, away from the local authority, to the Welsh Government. Although this was turned down, it yielded good media coverage and also opened up the debate about how the planning system as it stands is unsuitable to deal with this sort of proposal. This was ultimately very telling, in my opinion.
• Raising public awareness was a constant challenge, but all avenues were utilised – the media, posters, banners, tee shirts, leafleting, use of social media (esp Facebook), stalls at events. Getting the public support of a huge, respected brand name such as the Co-operative, with real tangible involvement from them locally, was a huge boost
• Every opportunity was taken to present and disseminate telling expert testimony – Ingraffea, Colborn, Newsnight, the Ecology Unit, and of course, Gasland – especially to the decision-makers; the councillors on the planning and scrutiny committees.
• Equally, every opportunity was taken to challenge and discredit the arguments and information offered by the proponents e.g. The potential reserves and jobs, the make up of frack fluid, the soundness of their precautions, the safety record of the related industries etc.
• Certain lines of argument proved particularly telling with the decision-makers. Most telling, I believe, was the lack of any bespoke planning framework, or guidelines even, for this sort of fossil fuel exploitation. Having this conceded by the Environment Agency and Coastal Oil & Gas themselves really grabbed the attention of these councillors. The Vale Councillors, including Leader Cllr Kemp very publicly, recognised that their approval of this industry could well be letting an evil genie out of the bottle with no way of effectively controlling it and no chance of getting it back in the bottle once it was out. They rightly realised that the Welsh Government and Westminster were effectively passing the buck and likely to make them the scapegoats when the inevitable calamities start to happen.
• The other line of argument that seemed to resonate with the councillors was the sound logic behind our argument that test drilling applications should not be considered in isolation. They are simply the first step in an integrally linked set of stages to full production. If there is no chance of allowing subsequent stages, there is no point in allowing the first stage. History tells us that the other side will force through the counter-argument; that if you allow them to invest huge resources in stage one, you cannot waste all that investment by not allowing the subsequent stages. The Vale Councillors accepted this argument against the advice of their Planning Officer, whose tick box sheets presumably cannot cope with big picture thinking.
• Most of the more obvious environmental issues were not in themselves central, in my opinion. Every development before a planning committee has environmental consequences. They listen to environmental objections all the time, but let things through in the belief that their Planners and the Environmental Agency know enough to ensure that these consequences are manageable and controllable. The above lines of argument shattered this confidence, in my opinion.
• Some good fortune. Getting before a scrutiny committee just a few days before the decision was priceless. The withdrawal of the original application on a small technicality bought us crucial extra time. I am convinced the Planning Committee would have passed the application first time round. Your good fortune is having having the ‘LLANDOW PRECEDENT’ to draw on – to demonstrate that the set procedures and conventional are not inalienable in the face of reasonable arguments, backed by sound evidence, and delivered with repeated conviction.

If I had to distil all this down to my TOP FIVE TIPS for success, I would say:

1. Ensure the campaign is perceived as truly spontaneous grass-roots opposition.
2. Have ONE consistent spokesperson who can become the face of the campaign – with passion and commitment as their main virtues.
3. Focus on the arguments that will impact the most on the decision-makers – which requires having people involved that can guide you on these.
4. Foster relationships with the relevant councillors, key local politicians (from across the political spectrum) and all the media links you can muster to allow you to punch well above your weight.
5. Never ever get involved in scare mongering. What we know and what we don’t know is perfectly scary enough and needs no embellishing. Scare mongering simply serves to discredit the campaign and reduce the likelihood of success.

So where do these lessons need to be disseminated to?
The areas licensed for exploration are shown on this map:
https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/information/bb_updates/maps/landfields_lics.pdf

The grid is the O.S. National grid that relates to any Ordnance Survey map.
The PEDL licenses are based on crude 10km squares of the OS grid.

Using this map, I have identified the following places that need to sit up and take notice of the fracking threat:
https://bridgendgreens.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/fracking-coming-to-a-place-near-you-soon/

Councillors in the Vale of Glamorgan have unanimously rejected an application to test drill for shale gas in the county.

Analysis by Andy Chyba

This represents a total vindication of the stance we have taken from the outset of this campaign back in January 2011.

It also represents a triumph for people power, with the local people of Llandow and the Vale being prepared to wrestle with the issues in order to understand them, and then go out and comprehensively win the arguments calmly, rationally and on merit. Louise Evans and the whole ‘Vale Says No!’ team have achieved far more than any political party could achieve in terms of raising awareness of the issues and getting people and, most importantly, the media to engage with the issues.

I would also like to acknowledge the very brave decision taken by the Vale Planning Committee this evening. 10 Conservatives, 5 Labour, 2 Plaid Cymru and 2 Independents make up this committee. To obtain a unanimous verdict is a stunning result, that ought reverberate around the nation. It is a sensational precedent, as I am pretty certain it is the very first time a shale gas test drilling application has been opposed anywhere in the UK.

The main line of argument that I feel has achieved this result is with regard to the lack of any regulatory regime designed specifically for this industry. This was conceded by Coastal Oil & Gas and the Environment Agency at the Scrutiny Committee Meeting on Monday. The Vale Councillors, including Leader Cllr Kemp, recognised that their approval of this industry could well be letting an evil genie out of the bottle with no way of effectively controlling it and no chance of getting it back in the bottle once it was out. They rightly realised that the Welsh Government and Westminster were effectively passing the buck and likely to make them the scapegoats when the inevitable calamities start to happen.

They also rightly recognised the sound logic behind our argument that test drilling applications should not be considered in isolation. They are simply the first step in an integrally linked set of stages to full production. If there is no chance of allowing subsequent stages, there is no point in allowing the first stage. History tells us that the other side will force through the counter-argument; that if you allow them to invest huge resources in stage one, you cannot waste all that investment by not allowing the subsequent stages. The Vale Councillors accepted this argument against the advice of their Planning Officer, whose tick box sheets presumably cannot cope with ‘big picture’ thinking.

These are messages that need to be delivered loud and clear to town halls across the land. The precedent has now been set. Councillors do not need to bow to the advice of their box ticking, rubber stamping Planning Officers. They can determine what is right and wrong by calling in evidence from people who know what they are talking about, rather than feign understanding and vote in accordance to the party line.

The Vale of Glamorgan Planning Committee have struck a real blow for local democracy, and have proven themselves to be people of true integrity and with the strength to challenge the systems they are asked to operate within – systems designed to let the exploiters and developers to have it all their own way at our expense most of the time.

This decision will strengthen the campaigns against the many and varied threats represented by the frackers, not just in the Vale, but across the land.

The next big question is how will the Welsh Government and Westminster respond to this slap across the face for their complacency to date?

Analysis by Iolo AP Dafydd, BBC Wales environment correspondent

“Almost all councillors spoke of their fears about pollution if fracking for shale gas took place following a positive outcome to test drilling in Llandow.

Several said they felt the planning committee needed advice and guidance from the Welsh government as well as the UK government, because drilling for shale gas was of national importance.

Some councillors said they felt the Welsh government was passing the buck by insisting the councillors had enough power and control to make their own decision, whether that be test-drilling or possibly in future fracking for shale gas.

Most said they accepted there will be an appeal. Cliff Patten – a planning consultant for Coastal Oil and Gas – affirmed after the meeting it was likely.

Many councillors also felt a public inquiry was needed.”

http://www.ted.com/talks/jae_rhim_lee.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-10-19&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

It is the most exciting and uplifting thing I have listened to for a long time and is yet another rebuttal and antidote to the dystopian future the frackers have planned for us!

http://www.ted.com/talks/justin_hall_tipping_freeing_energy_from_the_grid.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-10-19&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

Representations were made by:

• Coastal Oil & Gas Ltd
• Environment Agency
• Welsh Water
• Prof Cartwright, Cardiff University
• Cowbridge Residents Group
• CPRW
• Denis Campbell – UK Progressive Magazine
• Me and Louise Evans for ‘The Vale Says No!’

We really had Coastal Oil & Gas on the ropes most of the night, and it was good to see the Environment Agency getting a rough ride too. As for Prof Cartwright, I thought he was there as the ‘frackers friend’ – but his contributions were feeble.

The evening culminated in an unexpected coup. A member of the Scrutiny Committee proposed that the Vale of Glamorgan Council be requested to declare itself in favour of a moratorium and, further, to call on the Council to lobby both the Welsh Government and Westminster for a moratorium too.

This was put to the vote and was passed unanimously by the entire Scrutiny Committee!!

Many of this Committee will be sitting on the Planning Committee meeting on Thursday which will decide the fate of Coastal Oil & Gas’ test drilling application at Llandow.

Watch this space!

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Apologies for Absence
3. Minutes and matters arising
4. Officers’ reports
5. Campaigns update – esp. fracking/pv for free
6. Elections – BCBC 2012 – Nomination of Candidates
7. AOB
8. DoNM

NOTE – Venue is 2 minutes walk from both the Bus and Train stations in Bridgend.
See map: https://bridgendgreens.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/next-meeting/

IF ANYONE NEEDS A LIFT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW
Andy.

Dear Andrew,

Ive been known to drop the occasional expletive, but the most offensive F word to me is not the one that goes f***. Its F***** – the famine happening in the Horn of Africa, mainly Somalia.

I hope youll take a few minutes to watch ONEs new video The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity and in doing so sign the petition….

http://act.one.org/go/133?akid=2663.2269684.jm_yBD&t=5

Dear world leaders,

The famine in Somalia could kill 750,000 in the coming months, and tens of thousands have already died. When you meet at the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in November, you have the opportunity to break the cycle of famine and ensure people are hungry no more. Lives are in your hands. Please keep the promises you have made to the 2 billion poor people who depend on farming for their livelihoods.

The reasons for the famine in the Horn of Africa are complex and solutions are difficult, especially in Somalia, but we cant lose sight of some simple facts:

1. 30,000 children have died in just 3 months. Thirty thousand. With over 12 million people at risk.

2. Famine is not a natural catastrophe drought doesnt have to lead to famine. It can be prevented, as we have seen in much of Kenya and Ethiopia.

In the 21st century, its an obscenity that people are dying because they cant get enough food to eat. Every one of those 30,000 children is part of a family a son, a daughter, sister or brother. We cant imagine what it must be like to starve to death, but most of us know what its like to lose someone we love.

Please watch the film and make use of the voice you have — sign the petition. It will make a difference in putting pressure on world leaders to do more to help those in need right now, and live up to promises already made to invest in the things proven to work early warning systems…irrigation…drought resistant seeds and of course, peace and security.

Thanks for reading.

Bono

Take action:
http://action.amnesty.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1194&ea.campaign.id=12236&utm_source=email&utm_medium=mass_email&utm_campaign=deathpenalty&utm_content=stoning_action3

This is a departure for EBS. They say:
“for the first time, we’re extending our mortgage range specifically to support people who own ordinary properties. With our homes using three times as much energy as our cars – contributing over 27% of our [carbon dioxide] emissions in the process – we feel it’s essential to help everyone make their home as Eco-friendly as possible. We hope that adding a cheaper mortgage to the prospect of lower energy bills and better air quality will provide a tangible incentive for people to live more sustainably.”

The EBS autumn newsletter also includes some helpful links to other organisations with an interest in retrofit.

http://www.superhomes.org.uk/

http://www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/

http://retrofitdiaries.org/

http://www.greatbritishrefurb.co.uk/ (Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs is an advocate)