Demolition expert appointed to clear iconic Fiddlers Ferry power station site

Manchester-based demolition expert PP O’Connor has been appointed to carry out the clearance of Warrington’s iconic Fiddlers Ferry power station.

It is anticipated the site’s cooling towers will be blown down by the end of January 2024.

Site owner, Peel NRE, part of regeneration business Peel L&P, chose PP O’Connor after a competitive tender process based on its previous experience in complex demolitions such as INEOS, Runcorn, Lyondellbasell, Carrington and Stanlow Refinery, Ellesmere Port.

Fiddlers Ferry has been a prominent landmark for half a century. Peel NRE’s vision is to bring this site back into productive use and ensure that it can continue to contribute to the local economy through the creation of jobs and new homes.

Peel NRE submitted a prior approval notice to Warrington Borough Council in September 2022, outlining the process of how the site will be demolished. The request, which included a Demolition Statement and plan for control of the site and safety in the local area, has now been approved.

Before the cooling towers are demolished, extensive work will be carried out by the team to ensure the highest safety standards are upheld. Residents will be kept informed throughout the process.

The first stage of demolition will include the phased demolition of the coal stock yard, four northern cooling towers and some of the former administrative buildings to the north of the site.

Kieran Tames, development director at Peel NRE, said: “This announcement is one of the most exciting of this project so far and marks another major milestone in the redevelopment of Fiddlers Ferry. It’s reassuring to be working with industry experts, PP O’Connor, as we demolish one of the country’s last remaining coal fired power stations.

“We know that the demolition has been anticipated by communities, not just in Warrington but across the region, so will ensure that residents will be kept updated on our demolition plans as we develop a precise timetable.”

PP O’Connor managing director, Peter O’Connor, said: “Fiddlers Ferry is a highly prestigious location, and we are very proud to be involved in this project. We look forward to working with Peel NRE to achieve its vision in the regeneration of this strategic site.”

He said during the peak of the project the firm will have around 120 staff and more than 50 pieces of plant and equipment on site.

“We will be utilising our local workforce to deliver this project and create further job opportunities in the local communities,” he added.

Peel NRE has produced a 10- to 15-year mixed-use masterplan for the 820-acre site – one of the largest brownfield sites in the country.