Demolition of UK’s last coal-fired power station approved

The planned demolition of the UK’s last coal-fired power station has reached a key step.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station was switched off on 30 September 2024 after generating electricity since 1968.

On Thursday, Rushcliffe Borough Council approved plans to knock down the cooling towers, the main power station building, and other buildings on site with controlled explosives.

According to plans, it will take until at least 2030 to knock down and clear the site.

The 273-acre site has been earmarked for a new zero-carbon manufacturing and technology location, which will be part of the East Midlands Freeport.

The freeport will offer businesses financial incentives to create jobs.

Decommissioning of the site is currently taking place and is expected to last until March 2026.

The first demolition works are expected to start in June 2026 at the earliest, with the cooling towers and main boiler chimney expected to be brought down between 2029 and 2030.

The full demolition project will then be concluded in 2030 or 2031.

East Midlands Airport, run by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), is approximately four kilometres (2.5 miles) to the south west of the site.

The destruction of the towers could spread dust 500 metres from the site and could disrupt the airport if not timed carefully.

Demolition works will take place during periods of “no air traffic”, the airport confirmed.

A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport said: “We are content that the plan in place will provide sufficient safeguards so that the demolition will not impact airport customers or adversely affect air safety.”

The MAG Aerodrome Safeguarding team has said it is “satisfied” with the plans.