Concern about Cornwall Council’s involvement in controversial geothermal plan
There are concerns about possible environmental breaches, contamination and seismic earthquake damage
Residents of two hamlets next to a proposed geothermal plant have written to Cornwall Council raising their concerns about possible environmental breaches, contamination and seismic earthquake damage.
They are also concerned about the council’s involvement in the development as landowner.
Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) has lodged a screening opinion request with Cornwall Council to determine whether its proposal for a geothermal development at Penhallow, near Perranporth, is considered to require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
A subsequent outline planning application would be a resubmission of a plan which was approved in September 2022, but has since lapsed.
The company has stated that its proposal will accord with all relevant local and national planning policy and adhere to “the highest environmental standards”, stressing that the Penhallow plant would represent an “important contribution to the UK’s generation of low-carbon, renewable energy”.
GEL is also behind the United Downs Geothermal Project. The Penhallow project would be for a geothermal power plant including the drilling of two deep wells to depths of approximately 4.5 kilometres, a site office, an electricity sub-station to enable a grid connection and a number of containers to store spare parts and materials.
There have been previous earthquakes associated with geothermal plants in Cornwall. For two days in 2020, GEL induced 15 mini-quakes of magnitudes up to 1.5 on the Richter scale as it was carrying out drilling at United Downs.
While, two years later, activity at the Eden Geothermal site caused a 1.5 quake. Hundreds of people in the St Austell area felt the shaking and heard a loud bang.
The last GEL submission for the Penhallow site received 55 objections on the planning portal, with nine comments in support. Many of those against the development cited seismic activity among their concerns.
Rebecca Harrod has written a letter to Cornwall Council’s planning department on behalf of more than 40 residents of Penhallow and Callestick.
She said: “Geothermal Engineering Ltd have submitted a screening request arguing that a full Environmental Impact Assessment should not be required.
“Residents strongly disagree with this position and believe that a full EIA is essential for a development of this scale and risk. In addition to the environmental concerns previously raised, we would also like to highlight a significant issue regarding Cornwall Council’s own exposure to risk and potential liability as both the landowner and decision-maker.
“Unlike many other forms of energy infrastructure, deep geothermal drilling is not a regulated industry in the UK. As a result, if there were to be an environmental breach, contamination event or seismic damage associated with the operation, the ultimate liability could fall to the landowner.
“As Cornwall Council is the landowner of the site, an investor in the project and the authority responsible for determining the planning application, the council is placing itself in an unusually exposed position.”
She added that if the company ceased trading or became insolvent it could leave the landowner responsible for the environmental and financial consequences.
“This would potentially expose Cornwall Council – and therefore Cornwall’s taxpayers – to significant financial risk. It could also expose the council to legal action from residents, businesses and property owners in the event of seismic damage, groundwater contamination or environmental pollution.”
The residents’ letter continued: “A development of this nature involves recognised risks, including induced seismic activity, groundwater contamination pathways, subsurface pressure changes, drilling waste management issues and long-term well integrity concerns.
“The proposed site also lies within a location that Cornwall Council’s own planning constraints identify as having a ‘high’ risk of surface water flooding.
“Surface water from the site drains into local watercourses that ultimately discharge at Perranporth beach, a major bathing water location and tourism asset. Any contamination event could therefore have serious environmental, reputational and economic consequences for the wider area.
“At present, the screening request submitted by the applicant relies largely on assertions that impacts are unlikely, rather than providing robust independent analysis. Allowing the developer to effectively define the level of scrutiny applied to a project that carries such potential risks places Cornwall Council in a very vulnerable position.”
The residents have asked that Cornwall Council requires a full EIA for the development.
A spokesperson for GEL responded to the concerns raised in the letter to the council.
“Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL) is a UK registered company that is firmly committed to the protection and stewardship of the environment as well as the local area.
“We have an established record of safely delivering deep geothermal heat projects in Cornwall. The Penhallow project represents an important contribution to the UK’s generation of low-carbon, renewable energy, supporting wider objectives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance energy security, while also delivering economic benefits at the local level.
“We await the results of the screening opinion request that was made to Cornwall Council; this will determine whether our proposals are considered to require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and we will prepare the forthcoming application accordingly.
“Regardless of the application’s format, GEL will be undertaking a comprehensive suite of independently administered environmental and ecological surveys, carried out by suitably qualified and competent local professionals.
“The results of these studies will be submitted for detailed review for their regulatory compliance by relevant statutory consultees and technical bodies including Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Cornwall Lead Local Flood Authority and Cornwall Council’s ecology team.
“As always, our proposals will accord with all relevant local and national planning policy, adhere to the highest environmental standards and follow all best practice guidance.”
Cornwall Council has yet to respond to a request for comment on the residents’ letter.