Campaigners against a controversial fracking site in Sussex took their case to the High Court in London yesterday.

Frack Free Balcombe Residents’ Association (FFBTA) is resisting the might of gas and oil exploration firm Cuadrilla.

They asked the court to declare unlawful West Sussex County Council’s granting of planning permission for fracking — hydraulic fracturing deep beneath the earth’s surface — at the controversial site near Balcombe.

Sue Taylor, Balcombe resident and campaigner, said: “This planning consent sets a dangerous precedent that the concerns of the local community can be ignored even though it is their health and safety that is at risk. Flaring from oil wells close to residential areas poses an unacceptable threat to human health.”

The site has been the scene of protests by residents and environmentalists since Cuadrilla started tests in 2013.

At one demonstration Green MP Caroline Lucas was arrested with four others and charged with obstruction. All charges were later dropped.

FFBTA’s lawyers Leigh Day argue that the decision to grant planning permission failed to weigh sufficiently the high level of objections to the plans — 889 objections and only nine in support.

Ugo Hayter from Leigh Day said: “We remain confident that the court will rule that this planning permission was granted unlawfully.

“Our clients are greatly concerned that this operation risks polluting the aquifer and nearby reservoir and flies in the face of overwhelming community opposition.

“Much more needs to be known about the potential harm drilling for unconventional oil and gas poses to the environment and the public before such swift action is taken by those who seek to gain financially from this potentially devastating rush for energy.”

The hearing is expected to last two days.