Plan for future of Ratcliffe on Soar power station shortlisted for regional and national awards
Last updated: 7/6/2024
A planning order prepared by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) for the development of Ratcliffe on Soar power station has been shortlisted for national and regional awards.
The authority granted Local Development Order (LDO) status for the site in July 2023, which could help fast-track new investment, green industry and business projects and potentially create thousands of permanent highly skilled jobs.
It's now been shortlisted for the 'award for promoting economic growth’ at the Planning Awards 2024 and ‘Best Plan’ at the RTPI East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence 2024.
The power station, owned by international energy company Uniper, will close at the end of September 2024 and, as the last coal fired power station in the UK, this will mark a major milestone in the country’s decarbonisation journey.
The Planning Awards 2024 takes place on Thursday June 13 at IET London: Savoy Place, recognising outstanding work in planning and placemaking.
The RTPI East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence, showcases and celebrates plans, people, and projects and the winner will be announced at a celebration event on Wednesday June 26 at Albert Hall in Nottingham.
The order could increase the speed at which planning processes could be progressed for a range of modern industrial and green energy uses and the vision for the site sets out guiding principles by which any development could be brought forward, including:
- A zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands
- Highly skilled, well-paid jobs
- Modern industry and business uses, served by on-site sustainable energy generation and storage
- Advanced manufacturing and low-carbon energy production, for example to produce electric car batteries
- A hub for research, development, and innovation, through links with universities, business support organisations and established industry.
RBC’s Director for Development and Economic Growth Leanne Ashmore said: “We’re pleased that our LDO has been recognised for the way it could open up major projects and investment at such a significant site and been shortlisted for these two awards.
“This LDO simplifies and streamlines the planning process for large sites such as Ratcliffe and without it there is a risk of piecemeal and unplanned developments.
“It sets policy to control development and raises the bar on the type of development and jobs it could attract as this potential prime investment arrives in the Borough.”
The LDO follows the creation of a design guide and masterplan for the site that was prepared to support the redevelopment, which will guide growth and development at the site over the coming years.