The demolition of a Nottinghamshire power station and the cutting edge industry hub planned to replace it could create thousands of jobs. Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, owned by international energy company Uniper, will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation.
A draft Local Development Order (LDO) has now been finalised by Rushcliffe Borough Council which could greenlight new industry and business projects at the site and potentially create thousands of permanent highly-skilled jobs. If agreed, the LDO would grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the redeveloped site, including potentially advanced manufacturing in gigafactories, low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, and research and development.
The coal-fired station has played a considerable role in generating power for the country over the past five decades, with construction completed in 1967 and the site commissioned in 1968. It is anticipated explosive charges will be fitted to the structure and detonated, bringing it down in one fell swoop, with cooling towers predicted to be removed by December 31, 2030.
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The masterplan for 265 hectare site, which is bisected by the A453, has now been revealed. The council have planned for the site to be transformed into a centre for energy production and storage, advanced manufacturing and industry.
They have said it would deliver technology and industry required to help move towards a net-zero carbon future. The site's planned uses allow for large scale energy generation and storage, with the exception of wind generation.
Examples of acceptable projects on the space, according to Rushcliffe Borough Council, are hydrogen production, gigafactories producing electric cars or batteries, data centres, rail freight logistics, solar power generation, a research and development partnered with a university, and a small scale hotel, retail and food area for workers.
Retail spaces would be limited to 280 sqm, with a maximum of one café/bar and one takeaway. The maximum size of any hotel would be 150 beds, and there would only be one gym and creche allowed.
Site owner Uniper has already received planning permission for a new waste incinerator on part of the power station site, known as the East Midlands Energy Re-Generation (EMERGE) Centre. Both National Grid substations will remain on the site, together with power cables.
Three parts of the site could be occupied by buildings as tall as 40m high, while two other sites are limited to 30m and another two smaller plots are limited to 20m. Due to power pylons on the site, some areas are now suitable for buildings to be built on.
Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses across the region, said the project was a "once-in-a-generation opportunity". “The Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the East Midlands to thrust itself into the centre of the energy transition, which will undoubtedly be the next major economic development as we hurtle towards net zero," Mr Knowles.
“While we may not know for some time yet exactly what the future of the power plant following decommissioning will be, some ambitious ideas have already been put forward that all encompass low-carbon growth.
“It’s exciting to see another small step forward being taken with the proposal for a local development order and we look forward to more details being announced in due course.
“Such is the strategic importance of Ratcliffe in terms of how it connects to the rest of the East Midlands and UK, ensuring that any opportunities are plugged into the rest of the region’s development plans should be top of the agenda for our leaders.”
There are currently two different masterplans for the site outlined in council documents, the first of which is based on the concept of a single large business venture taking up the site - like the previously touted gigafactory. The second scenario imagines the site being split between multiple operators.
Rushcliffe Borough Council's vision for the site seeks to deliver a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands, providing highly skilled jobs. They have also expressed the hope it will become a hub for research, development, and innovation, through links with universities, business support organisations and established industry.
A consultation period over the draft plans will now run until September 5. Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Councillor Simon Robinson said: “Please again have your say on the future of this hugely important strategic and iconic site that could shape this part of Rushcliffe and the East Midlands and attract significant investment in the region for decades to come.
“The power station will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation and an LDO could secure its long-term future for it to remain a site of local, regional and national importance.
“Many power station sites often remain vacant for years after they have closed and the Council is therefore taking this proactive approach to assist maximising its potential.
“With HS2 at the adjacent East Midlands Parkway also set to arrive in the future, it’s important to positively shape the future of the site and the LDO could deliver a major part of its future.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council will be holding two local consultation events at Thrumpton Village Hall on August 16 from 3pm to 7pm and at Gotham Memorial Hall on August 18 from 3pm to 7pm. Uniper declined to comment while the project remained in the planning progress.
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