Villagers living in the shadow of a coal-fired power station have been speaking about plans to demolish the cooling towers and redevelop the site. Concerns over the impact on the wildlife and environment have been raised with plans suggesting a huge Gigafactory, a hotel and a new incinerator could be build in their wake.
The plans concern a "landmark" many may see on their way into Nottingham as they travel along the A453: The Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station. A draft Local Development Order (LDO) has now been finalised by Rushcliffe Borough Council, whereby the proposed redevelopment of the site can be streamlined to allow industrial and business-orientated projects to press ahead.
If agreed, the LDO for Ratcliffe would grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the site, including potential for a Gigafactory, akin to Elon Musk's Tesla factories, as well as low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, research and development.
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The coal-fired station, described by locals as a "landmark", has been generating electricity for the country for the past five decades. It was commissioned in 1968, but is now expected to be shut down by 2024, with a 'blow-down' event planned to turn the cooling towers into rubble using explosive charges.
It is anticipated the towers will be removed by December 31, 2030. Site owner Uniper has 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. And wider plans have shown an ambition for a 150-bed hotel, food and retail outlets as well as the establishment of a Freeport to boost the economy.
Residents living in the village of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, which sits in the shadow of the cooling towers, have shared their thoughts on the proposals. Marie Rigby, who grew up in Clifton and moved into the village from Keyworth just a year ago, said: "It is one of those things that was happening before we moved here. It is what it is.
"We are grateful it is not right in front of us. It is a question of whether it is needed. And it is needed for employment. It is the end of an era. It will be sad because I'm a Clifton person so I have known those towers for 67 years. It is a landmark."
Patrick Shawcroft has further concerns. Having lived in the village since 1983 Mr Shawcroft fears for the loss of green space and has, as such, written to the Woodland and Wildlife Trusts as well as Uniper and Rushcliffe's Conservative MP Ruth Edwards.
A small area on the north-western boundary of the northern area is identified as a 'Scheduled Monument', a form of heritage protection, and this relates to a Roman site on Red Hill. Currently, ash settlement lagoons are located above the Scheduled Monument.
An environmental impact assessment also considers the development may have a "significant" adverse impact on agricultural land, archaeological remains, and traffic levels. There will also be a significant impact on the ecology of the site, with the Ratcliffe-on-Soar fly-ash grassland local wildlife site and Ratcliffe-on-Soar fly-ash track Grassland local wildlife site all present on the site.
The assessment says these "will be directly impacted because of either partial or full loss of habitat within the sites, resulting in a significant effect at the regional or county-scale". These concerns have been echoed by Mr Shawcroft, who says the development should avoid the land to the south of the A453 and stick to the brownfield land in the north, were the cooling towers are based.
The fly-ash sites, where coal ash remains from the power station is stored, have become important for wildlife. For example, hundreds of migrating African sand martins have before nested in the fly-ash because the environment is similar to the cliffs where they traditionally nest.
Mr Shawcroft told Nottinghamshire Live: "It is just greed. Uniper is planning to build and develop the north side of the A453, that is fine, it is a brownfield site. But they are going to destroy greenfield land on the southside.
"There is woodland and fields and there is a massive fishpond and they are planning to develop on all of that. It is a shame. The brownfield side is no problem, but why do they have to destroy all the woodlands? There are around 180 acres and they may destroy 90 of that. I think the overall development is probably good. I think we need it. But stick to the brownfield side. It's just a shame."
Another resident of 20 years, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "I think from our point of view they need to be careful. They could do something that destroys the village. You do not know what you can do to persuade them. They are a big juggernaut."
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.”
Speaking previously, a Uniper spokeswoman added: "The council recently invited local residents to have their say on the site proposals and a Local Development Order (LDO) that could grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the redeveloped site, including advanced manufacturing, low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, and research and development.
"Rushcliffe Borough Council held a public consultation on the initial plans for the site, from November 29 to January 10, 2022. The public consultation period is now closed, and the feedback received is currently being reviewed."
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