CONTENTIOUS plans to build a geothermal plant at Penhallow near Newquay have received a cold reception from the community.

More than 60 residents and have objected to a hybrid planning application for the drilling of two deep geothermal wells and ancillary infrastructure on land north west of Rosehill Farm due to concerns regarding noise, rural traffic increases, potential seismic disturbances, and groundwater protection.

Jess Trenerry said: “My objection is not to geothermal energy in principle. It concerns the suitability of this development at this location and the adequacy of the information submitted.”

Simon Weekes added: “I object on the grounds that the site is inappropriate. “Geothermal energy is inherently a speculative and exploratory industrial operation. It carries profound geological uncertainty.”

Perranzabuloe Parish Council has objected to the scheme stating the location is not suitable, represents development in the countryside and highlighted concerns about detrimental noise levels and highways issues.

A community campaign group has been established to fight the plans titled Residents Against Geothermal Engineering in Penhallow.

A spokesperson said: “The proposed site is agricultural land within a tranquil, rural landscape.

“Residents are not simply opposed to geothermal energy. Our argument is that this is the wrong site, supported by an inadequate application and an engagement process that has failed to earn public trust.”

Developed by Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL), the pre-construction facility is projected to generate roughly five MW of baseload electricity and 20 MW of thermal energy once operational. One well would reach approximately 4.5 kilometres for production and another around three kilometres for reinjection.

The company previously received planning permission to build a geothermal plant at Penhallow in 2022 but allowed the permission to lapse.

GEL has emphasised safety monitoring would be put in place such as sensitive seismometer networks, and that there would be numerous benefits from the scheme such as a community benefit fund.

SLR Consulting Ltd, on behalf of GEL, in the planning application, said: “Most significantly, the proposed geothermal development achieves sustainable development through the eventual generation of renewable and offers the future potential to also export renewable heat for use in the community, thereby reducing the reliance of finite resources, and by improving social, economic and environmental conditions of the area.

“It has been demonstrated that the proposed development would provide multiple benefits across the three tiers of sustainable development, through the provision of renewable energy and significant economic investment in the local area.

“The principle of development has already been established as acceptable through the previous grant of planning permission, and since that decision, policy support for renewable energy has only grown stronger.

“As material considerations remain unchanged from that of the previous decision, there is no reason why this application should not be approved without delay.

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“With regard to social benefits, the proposed development would result in a direct and indirect increase in available local jobs. A 10 per cent net increase in biodiversity through landscaping proposals, a £20,000 community fund per well drilled, an education and careers resources and programme and a Schools Raspberry Shake seismometer programme.”