Rushcliffe Borough Council is set to formally revoke a long-standing hazardous substances consent at Ratcliffe on Soar power station, marking another significant milestone in the transition of the former coal-fired site towards large-scale redevelopment.
Councillors will be asked at a meeting on 8 January 2026 to approve an order revoking hazardous substances consent granted in 2008, which allowed the storage of large quantities of fuel oil and ammonia at the power station during its operational life. The application has been brought forward by the site operator, Uniper UK, following the permanent closure of the power station and the removal of hazardous materials from the site.
Ratcliffe on Soar power station, located north of the A453 and east of East Midlands Parkway and the Midland Main Line, ceased coal-fired electricity generation on 30 September 2024. Since then, the site has entered a prolonged period of decommissioning, ahead of demolition and eventual redevelopment. East Midlands Airport lies around four kilometres to the south-west, a factor that has historically influenced safety and planning considerations at the site.
The hazardous substances consent in question was originally approved under planning reference 07/02511/HAZARD and permitted the storage of more than 500 tonnes of fuel oil used for boiler start-up, alongside up to 167 tonnes of ammonia used for emissions control during power generation. Although those substances are no longer present, the consent itself remains legally valid unless formally revoked under the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990.
Planning officers say the continued existence of the consent now serves no practical purpose and could act as a constraint on future development of the site. The power station is already covered by a Local Development Order, approved in 2023, which sets the planning framework for redevelopment without the need for multiple individual applications. Officers argue that leaving the hazardous substances consent in place could deter potential investors or developers, despite the site no longer being used for energy generation.
Significant progress has already been made towards clearing the site. Prior approval was granted in 2023 for the demolition of the two southernmost cooling towers, and in September 2025 the council approved the demolition of the main power station buildings and associated structures. Further revisions to the Local Development Order are currently under consideration by the authority, signalling ongoing work to refine the long-term vision for the site.
Because Rushcliffe Borough Council acts as the hazardous substances authority, the decision to revoke the consent cannot be made under delegated powers and must instead be approved by councillors. If agreed, the revocation order would then require confirmation by the Secretary of State, as set out in sections 14 and 15 of the 1990 Act.
Under the legislation, councils can in some circumstances be liable for compensation if a hazardous substances consent is revoked. However, officers say no claim is anticipated in this case, as the revocation has been requested by the applicant rather than imposed by the authority, and no losses are expected to arise from the removal of a consent that is no longer needed.
