No delays in Rugeley Power Station redevelopment, minister vows

Greg Clark, secretary of state for department for communities and local government, visited the plant on Friday with Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling.

He was there to discuss the future of the site after the power station ceases to operate in the next few weeks.

It has towered over Rugeley for more than 50 years.

The Express & Star revealed on Saturday that it could be at least five years before the area is back in use again, with any demolition and decontamination works set to take three years alone.

Mr Clark said: "One of the things Amanda has impressed on me is driving the message that we need to pull out all of the stops to make sure all of the things can happen as quickly as possible without unnecessary delays.

"Not all of that is in the hands of the Government or the local councils but its important we all make our contribution to it and as the minister responsible for the planning system I will go back to my department and make sure we standby to operate as quickly as possible for any planning permissions that might need to be processed and obviously the councils will have their own roles to play in that as well.

"Everyone is in agreement that if things are going to change it should happen as quickly as is feasibly possible."

Mr Clark also backed recent calls for the site to be used for an energy-generating gas powered station as well as housing and other businesses.

It is expected plant owners Engie will have to pick up the cost of demolition and decontaminating the site but the Communities Secretary declared Government funding would be available to redevelop the site.

He added: "One of the things that is available and actually the area has benefitted from is that it is part of two local enterprise partnerships in Greater Birmingham and Solihull and Stoke and Staffordshire. There is money in the local growth fund which is available to bring forward investments that can create jobs now and into the future and we have just opened a further round of bids for that. It is part of the devolution of £12billion of Government resources.

"I know the LEPs have taken a close interest in this and there is support there if needed to pursue commercial opportunities."