Airport closure needed for power site demolition

The UK's last coal-fired power station closed on 30 September

The demolition of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station will require a "scheduled closure" of East Midlands Airport (EMA), according to a letter from its operator.

The power station shut on 30 September, marking the end of 142 years of UK coal power.

Decommissioning of the landmark in Nottinghamshire is already under way and is expected to take two years.

Papers published by Rushcliffe Borough Council on Tuesday outline the scale of the plan to eventually knock down the site, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

The power station has been seen as a landmark for residents for decades

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 saying the site currently does not need one, the LDRS said.

A letter from Manchester Airports Group, which runs EMA, written in response to the EIA screening request, warns the works "must take place" during a "scheduled closure" of the airport.

It adds: "We have previously advised this and look forward to further discussions with the applicant about when that would be most appropriate for all stakeholders."

'Concrete cathedrals'

Planning documents note that a dust management plan will be implemented with demolition works and will be updated based on further ecological surveys.

A Uniper spokesperson said it would be "working closely with stakeholders to manage any impact" of decommissioning and demolishing the site.

Calls have been made to save the cooling towers, with Nottinghamshire-born TV writer James Graham describing them as "concrete cathedrals".