Following consultation earlier this year, residents and interested parties are invited again to have their say on the latest plans for the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site.
A draft Local Development Order (LDO) has now been finalised by Rushcliffe Borough Council that could give the green light to new industry and business projects and the potential of thousands of permanent highly-skilled jobs at the site.
The power station, owned by international energy company Uniper, will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation.
The Council now wants to hear views on its latest proposals by Monday September 5 on its website and at two local events:
- Tuesday August 16, 3pm-7pm at Thrumpton Village Hall, Church Lane, Thrumpton, NG11 0AX
- Thursday August 18, 3pm-7pm at Gotham Memorial Hall, Nottingham Road, Gotham, NG11 0HE
Letters inviting people in the local vicinity to attend the events and provide feedback are being distributed.
If agreed, the LDO would grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the redeveloped site, including potentially advanced manufacturing, low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, and research and development.
A design guide and masterplan for the site has been prepared to support the redevelopment, which will guide growth and development over the coming years.
It paves the way for the previously announced East Midlands Freeport and the Development Corporation projects that could create further jobs and significant investment.
The vision for the site sets out the guiding principles by which the development would be brought forward, and seeks to deliver:
- A zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands
- Highly skilled jobs
- Modern industry and business uses, served by on-site sustainable energy generation and storage
- Advanced manufacturing, for example to produce electric car batteries
- A hub for research, development, and innovation, through links with universities, business support organisations and established industry.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr 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.”
