By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
Demolition of the landmark Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station will have such an impact it will need to take place during a “scheduled closure” of East Midlands Airport.
Planning papers released by Rushcliffe Borough Council yesterday (October 15), reveal progress on the scale of the plan to eventually knock down the site.
A letter from Manchester Airports Group, which runs the airport, reads: “Our primary concern with regard to the demolition works is that they must take place during a scheduled closure of East Midlands Airport.
“We have previously advised this and look forward to further discussions with the applicant about when that would be most appropriate for all stakeholders.”
Decommissioning of the site and its iconic cooling towers has already started, following its closure on September 30. Ratcliffe was the last coal-fired power station operating in the country.
The decommissioning process is expected to take two years.
No formal application for any demolition works has been submitted to the council yet, but site operator Uniper asked the council if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be needed.
An EIA determines whether a development or related works are likely to have a significant effect on the surrounding environment- the council has replied to say the site currently does not need one.
Council documents say although the tearing down of the site will likely have a “significant impact” on the environment, particularly regarding the nearby heritage Roman site at Red Hill, already recorded details from surveys offer information which would come from an EIA.
Uniper hopes to turn the site into a low-carbon energy hub following a Local Development Order.
The site will also act as one of three sites hosting the East Midlands Freeport, a low-tax zone designed to drive the development of new businesses and industry.
A Uniper spokesperson said: “Following the recent closure of Ratcliffe, the existing plant, equipment and associated apparatus is now being decommissioned, which will take up to two years.
“Careful consideration is being given by Uniper’s experienced team of engineers and technicians, to ensure the potential impact of decommissioning and demolition activities, is managed, and that they comply with the relevant environmental and planning legislation. We will also be working closely with local stakeholders to manage any impact of this work.
“As part of this process Uniper has submitted a request to Rushcliffe Borough Council, for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion for the demolition of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station and we have now received a response which we will review.”
Planning documents also note that a dust management plan will be implemented with demolition works and will be updated based on further ecological surveys.
Explosives will be required during the demolition process, but will be limited and within normal working hours, where “prior notification should be issued to local communities.”
A petition launched in May wants “at least one” of the station’s cooling towers to stay, and Nottinghamshire-born screenwriter James Graham has said they should be preserved.
Mr Graham described the 374ft (114m) tall towers as “concrete cathedrals”.
Dr Brian Hill, Chairman of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Parish Council, said: “The people I know in the village have not expressed any concerns around the demolition of the towers, as the prevailing wind is away from us- we are not expecting any significant problems.”
