Hope that disruption is kept to minimum when Ironbridge Power Station is demolished
Councillors say they are keen to ensure the demolition of Ironbridge Power Station has as little impact on the surrounding area as possible.
Representatives from both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils say they want to work closely with owners Uniper and the local community, as the icon is pulled down.
Plans for the demolition were submitted to Shropshire Council at the start of the week.
The work is expected, subject to approval, to begin in Spring 2018 and will take about three years.
The iconic pink cooling towers will be brought down with controlled detonation.
Councillor David Turner, ward member for Much Wenlock on Shropshire Council, said: "I have been working closely with Shropshire Councillor Claire Wild in whose Severn Valley electoral division the power station is situated.
"We have stressed that Uniper should keep the local community and its councils up to date with the progress of the demolition operations on site and will advise them of the use of explosives.
"Some people had expressed interest in the future of the cooling towers. They had been proposed for listed building status in September 2010 but, after careful consideration by English Heritage, it was concluded that the plant and cooling towers did not warrant listing. English Heritage confirmed this decision in a further review in 2014.
"It is inevitable that the demolition works will generate dust, noise, vibration, traffic movements and waste materials. While these are matters for concern, most of them will not affect Much Wenlock residents, but I remain concerned about the possibility of heavy vehicle movements through the town on the A4169. I am also alert to any disruption that Wenlock commuters might experience en route to Telford, the M54, and points beyond."
Councillor Nicola Lowery, ward member for Ironbridge at Telford & Wrekin Council, said has encouraged anyone with concerns to get in contact.
She said: “This is a defining moment for the former Ironbridge Power Station.
“It is extremely encouraging to hear of Uniper’s commitment within the management plan to undertake proactive stakeholder communications in order to engage and inform all of the project’s stakeholders.
"It is important Uniper work closely with stakeholders to include local businesses, the community and interested groups and organisations.
“In terms of the application I shall along with all stakeholders be working closely with both councils to examine the supporting information on the demolition methodologies and strategies intended.
"The supporting statement details the potential environmental impacts and the consequential precautionary mitigation and monitoring measures to ensure impacts are minimised and not significant. Within this examination consideration will be given to protecting assets and to safeguard areas of the site for future use such as the rail infrastructure.
“As the ward member for the Ironbridge Gorge I have impressed the importance of regular updates and meetings. While the former Ironbridge Power Station resides within Shropshire Council there will be significant impacts to the local community within the World Heritage site and I look forward to working with Uniper and the Stakeholder Engagement Team to ensure people are kept informed of the planned demolition activities should permission be secured."
