A WAR of words broke out at a Cornwall Council meeting today (Thursday, September 25) when councillors decided the fate of a plan to install a geothermal plant near a protected river. Opponents accused the company behind the proposal of having no proven track record and not engaging with concerned locals, while the company accused residents of being nimbys.

Cornish company Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) applied to Cornwall Council to develop a deep geothermal renewable energy scheme at Tregath, between Slaughterbridge and Camelford, about 150 metres from a tributary of the River Camel. The project would involve a phased development with drilling of two deep geothermal wells and resource testing before the construction of a power plant.

If approved, the plant would be operational for 50 years and would supply surplus electricity to the National Grid, powering and heating more than 11,000 homes. A large number of locals, who started a protest group, local councils and the area’s Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire all opposed the proposal

The matter was previously heard at a strategic planning committee meeting on July 10 when members voted for a deferment for a technical briefing, which was held later that month with representatives from GEL and Camborne School of Mines outlining the basics of geothermal energy and the process for drilling the two geothermal wells.

Much was made of the council and Government’s decision that the application site did not need an environmental impact assessment (EIA). “Even though EIA wasn’t required, it’s still important to consider the impact of the proposed development on the environment in determining whether the proposal is acceptable,” said planning officer Ellie Inglis-Woolcock, who added that her department did not think it would have a significant effect and, as such, proposed approval.

She said the Environment Agency, Natural England, the council’s own ecologists and the flood authority were all satisfied with conditions attached to protect the environment.

At a meeting of the strategic planning committee today local resident David Stark said: “This application is mired in obfuscation, untruths, arrogance, lack of consultation and hubris.” He said of the company: “GEL was formed in 2008 and 17 years later energy generation is still not operational at United Downs. You are being sold a pup here by an unproven applicant regarding a technology that unlike shallow geothermal is neither tested or viable.

“The critical thing for you to consider today is the huge risk posed to the River Camel by your officers’ reckless and unsafe recommendation.”

Mr Stark criticised the council for denying three Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests and an internal review.

A representative from the council’s legal team said officers were “absolutely not” being reckless. “If we thought there was anything improper happening then we would be intervening.”

Sonia Parsons was next to speak on behalf of the residents of Slaughterbridge “and the 960 people who have engaged with us via our website and who are now invested in this outcome”. She questioned the company’s credibility. “They haven’t done this before – they haven’t operated a geothermal energy plant anywhere. They started building one at United Downs in 2018 and after multiple delays, it’s still not working. That’s an appalling record of delivery by anyone’s standards.

“Their engagement efforts have been inauthentic and hugely lacking, and I speak with some authority. For 30 years I’ve worked with major global engineering companies whose work can be massively disruptive. Like GEL they have public liaison officers but unlike GEL those officers worked to secure community buy-in. They knock on doors, they listen and understand concerns. By contrast, GEL and the LPA (local planning authority) have treated us with utter disdain.

“Who will be accountable when this goes wrong and it will? A company lacking a proven track record is proposing to drill near controlled waters and construct a large-scale experimental plant despite numerous risks highlighted by its own consultants within a protected environmental area.”

Cllr Mike Coombes, from Camelford Town Council which is also against the plan, said he had concerns about pollution to the nearby River Camel. “Nobody can say there’s no possibility of pollution – you just can’t say that. Then we hear there could be seismic activity. The town of Camelford is only quarter of a mile away.”

He added that there had to be a more suitable site that’s not next to a river tributary.

Cllr Ross Yates, of Forrabury and Minster Parish Council, said his council supported the principle of geothermal energy but opposed this application as being in the wrong location. “There is no clear justification for choosing this site which is so environmentally sensitive compared to other geothermal developments in Cornwall, which have been located on industrial or brownfield land.” He argued that the proposal went against Cornwall Council’s own planning policy to protect the natural environment.

Will Page, representing GEL, outlined the benefits and safety of the renewable energy scheme, adding: “Tregath was selected due to its geology, its proximity to grid infrastructure and the absence of protected designations nearby to the site that are relevant to the proposal.” He said the site was unused, unsuitable for agricultural cultivation and was surrounded by light industrial units, wind turbines and electricity pylons.

“Concerns have been raised by a small number of individuals regarding the potential for groundwater contamination. Members can be assured that these fears are unfounded. At no point does the geothermal fluid leave the containment of the power plant.” Mr Page added the project would attract high quality jobs and investment in North Cornwall.

Jane Charman, community engagement officer for GEL, was next to speak and didn’t pull any punches. “We are aware of the vast amount of misinformation that has been spread through the local community by people who are opposed to this project,” she said.

“They say they care about the River Camel but are they tirelessly campaigning to South West Water to stop the very high recurring risk of sewage spills? No, because they don’t really care about the River Camel. Are they working with local farmers to prevent soil high in nitrates being washed into the River Camel? No, because they don’t care about the River Camel.

“They’re ignoring all the everyday very high risk causes of pollution and are instead concentrating on an ultra low risk renewable energy project. This is just creating a smokescreen to fool people because this is in fact really a not in my backyard campaign.”

The Liberal Democrat ward member, Cllr Mark Burnett, said the vast majority of people in the area opposed the plan. He reiterated concerns about the possible impact on the landscape and pollution, and refuted it was a case of nimbyism but a real concern for the environment.

Following an hour’s debate, the application was proposed for refusal by Cllr Adrian Parsons and seconded by Cllr James Ball on the grounds that the development would harm the natural and historic distinctive character of the area, which includes a nearby Grade II listed building, Worthyvale Manor.

The vote to refuse was won by six in favour and four against with no abstentions, with the committee believing the benefits of a geothermal plant would not outweigh harm to the landscape.