Published: Friday 15th March 2024 | 5.55pm
Cannock Chase Council’s Leader and Deputy Leader have paid a visit to the former Rugeley Power Station site owned by Engie, to get an update on its redevelopment. The power station ceased to operate in June 2016.
In June 2021 the power station’s four iconic cooling towers were blown down as part of the clearance of the site, which had seen six other blowdown demolitions take place in the months before.
The councillors heard about the progress Engie has made since that time in redeveloping the site in its transformation into a sustainable and innovative neighbourhood. Planning permission was secured in 2021 for the development of 2,300 new homes, 5ha employment space, and an all through school.
Remediation works to meet regulatory approvals have followed the demolition. This has been achieved via a £45m+ investment programme as part of the redevelopment plans for the site.
Engie also advised that they have made significant progress in creating a 26ha Riverside Country Park which will be for wider community use once opened.
They said they had reached an agreement to provide 7ha of land for the development of the All Through School, along with a significant contribution to the school construction, road access and infrastructure to service the school.
Engie added it was also working alongside National Grid to progress the potential construction of an on-site battery storage project to help play a part in the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon economy, as well as supplying clean power to the local community.
Welcoming the opportunity to tour the site, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and High Streets, Councillor Josh Newbury said: “There has clearly been a huge amount of work going on since the cooling towers came down in 2021. The Leader and I were excited to hear about the progress made, to see the vast site in person and to learn about the plans being put in place for the future.
“The redevelopment of what is one of the largest brownfield sites in the West Midlands into a new community with space for businesses and a new all through school is fantastic news for the people of Rugeley and all those who will be making the town their home in the coming years by moving into one of the 2,300 homes that will be built.”
An Engie spokesperson said: “We are delighted with the progress of the transformation of the Rugeley Power Station site into a sustainable and innovative neighbourhood. We continue to work closely with the local stakeholders and the community and hope to have a long-term presence on site through a potential battery storage project.”
ENDS
Photograph:
Examining a map of the former power station site are Council Leader, Councillor Tony Johnson, and Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and High Streets, Councillor Josh Newbury.