A CONTROVERSIAL application for the development of a geothermal power plant near Camelford is to be heard by Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee this week.

The committee, chaired by Cllr Chris Batters (Liberal Democrat) is set to make a decision over the proposal, which has been criticised by local campaigners and the area’s MP.

The proposals are recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers, subject to a number of conditions.

The original decision was set to be considered on July 10, 2025 but was postponed to enable councillors on the committee to receive a technical briefing in order to better understand the impact of the development and how it would operate.

Cllr Martyn Alvey (Conservative), a committee member said that members were not comfortable with the information they had and wanted it presented in a more understandable way.

He said: "The applicants were keen to stress there would not be environmental damage, some of the residents are very concerned there could be.

"It's a very technical issue - but also a very important decision for Cornwall. Geothermal energy is certainly something that we would want to promote and encourage in Cornwall - but at the same time we need to do it safely."

The proposed development involves the drilling of two deep wells and construction of energy generation infrastructure at the Tregath site, on land adjacent to Tregath Business Park, Station Road, Camelford.

The first of these wells will be the ‘Production Well’, drilled to an approximate depth of 4500 metres and to be used to pump hot geothermal fluid to the surface. The results of this initial well will dictate the further development of the second well for ‘Reinjection’, which will be of similar width but anticipated to be drilled to an approximate depth of 3000 metres.

The planning meeting will take place on Thursday, September 25 at 10am at the Cornwall Council headquarters in Truro as well as being webcast online.