SOUTH West Water has announced it is revising its much-criticised plans for a desalination plant in St Austell Bay.

The company, while remaining committed to desalination, says it has listened to environmental concerns and is taking an amended approach.

South West Water is now looking to initially build a much smaller plant than was first proposed.

However, a longer-term second phase of the scheme would see the original large-scale vision become a reality.

Director of drought and resilience David Harris said: “We have listened to all the feedback so far and, due to the complexities of this project and the sensitivities around any potential marine impacts, and the pressing need to secure resilient water supplies, we have decided to phase the delivery of our Par desalination project.

“We are now proposing to split the proposals into two separate phases. Each phase will require separate planning applications.

“The Phase 1 desalination plant will produce between 2.5 to five million litres of desalinated water a day and requires no new marine pipelines out into the bay.

“Phase 2 will be a 20-million-litres-a-day desalination plant, including new marine pipelines. This is the proposal that is already in the public domain.

“It will take time to get Phase 2 right. We do not want to rush this. However, there is a pressing need for greater resilience in Cornwall and Phase 1 will allow us to provide some climate-independent water resource while we continue to develop an application for the Phase 2. This includes an environmentally-sensitive marine pipeline design that ensures any impacts are minimised.

“It is our intention to retain and reuse as much of the Phase 1 desalination plant as possible and incorporate it into Phase 2 of the project.

“We are now liaising with Cornwall Council who, in consultation with Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation, will tell us what environmental information will be required to support the Phase 1 planning application. We will utilise the work we have done to date and supplement that with further surveys and assessments.

“We are committed to holding further public information events before submitting a planning application for Phase 1 in the summer. Subject to gaining the necessary approvals, consents and planning permission, we hope to commence the project later this year.

“We will consult the local community before submitting a planning application for Phase 2.”

Mr Harris also explained: “Our extensive survey work has increased on both the terrestrial and marine elements of our proposals and we are continuing to work closely with experts to understand impacts: from the marine and natural environment in St Austell Bay to the pipeline route to Restormel Water Treatment Works in Lostwithiel.”