Data centre plans put forward for ex-power station

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station is seen by a council as prime redevelopment land for new industries

Plans that could see part of the UK's last coal-fired power station site used as a data centre are being put out to consultation.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station was switched off on 30 September 2024 after generating electricity since 1968 - ending the UK's 142-year reliance on the fossil fuel.

Rushcliffe Borough Council is now seeking views on plans to change its local development order (LDO) - a document that sets out to "fast track" the planning process by investigating possible uses for a specified area of land - to permit data centres to be located there.

It said a rapidly changing business environment, especially in the field of data centres, meant up-to-date regulations were important.

'Long-term future'

The orders are designed to simplify the planning process by considering how suitable certain types of projects are ahead of any specific schemes.

The Ratcliffe-on-Soar site is viewed by the council as a major development opportunity with the potential to create thousands of jobs.

Previous options considered for the site have included an incinerator, hydrogen gigafactory and fusion power plant.

Data centres, which store and process digital information for actions like cloud storage and artificial intelligence (AI), use large amounts of energy and water.

Following a similar process in 2022, residents and interested parties are now being invited to comment on the changes to the order.

The changes are to allow data centre uses to be located on land south of the A453, allow environmental mitigation works to come forward early and for local labour agreements to be agreed on a plot-by-plot basis.

Rushcliffe Borough Council leader Neil Clarke said: "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.

"An updated LDO could secure its long-term future for it to remain a site of local, regional and national importance, and we want to play our part as the local authority to maximise its potential.

"It's important to positively shape the future of the site and an updated LDO could deliver a major role in its future."

The consultation will end in January, with a full review due in 2026.