Doomed Rugeley Power Station revamp to take five years

After owners Engie made the shock announcement the remaining Rugeley B plant is to close within a few months taking 150 jobs with it.

But attention has now turned to the future of the site and the impact on residents.

Following the latest round of talks between the 'taskforce' set up to oversee the shut down, it has emerged it is likely to take three years alone just to demolish the iconic plant and decontaminate the site.

While redevelopment on the plot would take a further two years whatever its future use may be with proposals including housing and a gas plant being touted so far.

Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling, who has spoken with Engie and the taskforce this week, has called for a 'speedy redevelopment' of the site.

She said: "I will be continuing to call for everything to be done, both locally and nationally, to ensure the speedy redevelopment of the site and, will therefore, continue to meet and hold talks with Engie, the taskforce and Government ministers.

"It has been indicated to me that any demolition and decontamination of the site would take about three years to complete, followed by a couple of years for the site to be fully redeveloped.

"It is very encouraging to see that the taskforce is moving ahead and investigating all of the options available should the power station close. Getting this investigatory work underway now is key for the speedy redevelopment of the site should the worst happen."

Cannock Chase District Council is also part of the taskforce. Leader George Adamson told the Express & Star: "I feel very sorry for the residents in the area. It is a shame they will have to put up with all of the mess and noise for the next few years.

"But it will take time, the site will be contaminated and decontamination by its very nature takes a long, long time. There is no way around it.

"The plant has been iconic. When you think of Rugeley you think of those towers. It is going to change the whole nature of the town."

Councillor Adamson did however make the reassurance that the cost of decontamination would not fall on the taxpayer and Engie would have to pay for the treatment of the site.

Engie themselves stated they could not comment any further on the future of the plot at this stage because the consultation with staff set to lose their jobs is still ongoing.