Calls to save cooling towers as power station shuts

Calls have been made to save the cooling towers at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station after the plant went offline for the last time on Monday.

The 374ft (114m) tall towers were described as "concrete cathedrals" by Nottinghamshire-born TV writer James Graham, as he suggested that they should be preserved.

Monday's closure marked the end of 142 years of UK coal power, as the nation became the first G7 member to completely phase coal out from its electricity mix.

Michael Shanks, minister for energy, told the BBC he appreciated the site's industrial heritage, but said that moving on with the site is "really important".

It is planned that the power plant will be decommissioned over the next two years, after which it is expected to be demolished

A petition has now been launched to preserve some of the cooling towers as a monument to the country's industrial past.

Mr Graham said on X: "Some might think they're ugly. I think they're majestic. Concrete cathedrals.

"I got to stand inside one, filming Sherwood series two. I've never stood anywhere like it on Earth.

"I'd love future generations to stand in them too. But they are inexplicably all going – all of them."

He suggested Ratcliffe-on-Soar could be home to a national museum to the Industrial Revolution, "welcoming travellers to the birth of the modern world".

The Twentieth Century Society, which fights to save industrial heritage, has called for the towers to be listed.

Most towers have a status which prevents this from happening, although Ratcliffe does not at this time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Michael Shanks says the closure of the power station is "the end of an era"

Operator Uniper hopes to turn the site into a green energy hub under a local development order, which was passed last year.

Mr Shanks added: "This site has huge potential as a net-zero energy hub of the future.

"We want that in an area like this to bring those skilled, well-paid jobs to the future, and we don't want the industrial site to maybe hold back some of that.

"So I think it's a balance, and it will be for the local community and for Uniper here to make that decision."

Peter O'Grady says it has been "an emotional few days"

Peter O'Grady, plant manager, told the BBC that Monday was "for the staff", while Tuesday symbolised "the end of the Industrial Revolution in one circumstance".

He added: "Coal's been the backbone of power in the UK for over a century, and here we are now, the first day of zero coal on the electricity system.

"As an icon for the world in terms of climate leadership, it's a huge statement."