Ex-power site could be used for business not homes

The buildings that made up the power station have now been demolished

An old power station site could be turned into a business park after plans for a £1bn housing development were scrapped.

Fawley Waterside Ltd is planning a phased redevelopment of the former Fawley Power Station land, focused on commercial and energy uses rather than housing.

A scheme to build a 1,500-home town in the area was scrapped in 2024 after developers called it "not viable".

Critics have said the new plan will not deliver housing or significant local jobs, with roles likely to be filled by specialist and external candidates.

A scheme to build a 1,500-home town in the area was scrapped in 2024

Councillor Malcolm Wade, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Hampshire County Council, said: "They have gone for an economically viable option, which I can understand for their perspective, but it doesn't really help the local community.

"There is no housing and it is not generating huge amounts of jobs and the jobs it will generate are unlikely to come from our area."

A redevelopment scheme could see the existing National Grid sub-station in the area replaced with a new facility on a different part of the site.

Under a phased approach, another plot of land has been identified as having potential for an energy business.

Finally the southern section of the site would be used for marine-related employment, leveraging access to Southampton Water, while the centre would be used for long-term open storage use.

The site is part of Solent Freeport, offering tax incentives to attract investment.

Fawley Waterside has been holding talks with New Forest District Council and engaging with the New Forest National Park Authority over the change in approach.

Plans for the Fawley site have moved away from housing

The oil-fired power station was decommissioned in 2013 after more than 40 years of operation.

Fawley Waterside Ltd purchased the site from RWE npower in 2015.

The buildings that made up the power station were demolished in a series of controlled explosions several years ago.

Part of the site currently has temporary planning permission to be used for a range of commercial activities, largely related to storage.

Fawley Waterside Ltd has been approached for comment.