FAQs

DEMOLITION

  • So far, the northern four of the eight towers have been fully demolished.  In addition, the concrete coal pad is being broken up.

  • The boiler house, turbine hall and four southern cooling towers are still to be demolished, and we are progressing with the demolition of these structures to enable the completion of demolition by 2027/28.

  • The future phases of the demolition will happen in the coming years. Exactly when is dependent on a number of different factors and we are aiming for completion by 2027/2028.

PROJECT SITE

THE WIDER VISION - The Development Framework

    • Over the coming years, Peel NRE will work in partnership with Warrington Council on the regeneration of the 820-acre site through a 10 to 15-year mixed-use masterplan which will coordinate the regeneration of one of the largest brownfield sites in the country.

    • The proposals for the site include 4 million square feet of employment space and 860 homes, as well as the restoration of the ash lagoons. 

    • Our proposals identify the site as a new sustainable community to create jobs, boost skills, address local housing shortages including affordable homes and create new accessible parkland and wildlife areas.

    • As part of redeveloping the entire site, we have prepared a Development Framework sets out the principles and vision for the wider Fiddlers Ferry site, and the context to the employment and housing delivery across a 10–15-year period. The Development Framework is a requirement of the site policy within the Warrington Local Plan. It ensures that the redevelopment of the site is comprehensive and that required infrastructure is delivered as the site is developed.

    • As part of the Warrington Local Plan, Warrington Council's policy requires agreement of a Development Framework prior to the determination of the Phase 1 employment application and prior to the submission of planning applications for any further phases.

    • The Development Framework has been prepared. We consulted on draft framework in January 2024.

    • The current masterplan for the wider site has the capacity to deliver a minimum of 860 homes and c.101ha gross of employment land delivered over multiple phases.

    • This signals an exciting future for the site, securing future investment for Warrington’s economy and the wider region.

BENEFITS

    • The Fiddlers Ferry site is a once-in-a generation opportunity to redevelop one of the largest brownfield sites in the country.

    • The proposals for the site will make a major contribution to job creation across the borough. The initial masterplanning work indicates that the redevelopment of the site could provide c. 4 million sq ft of floorspace to help meet future employment needs. The site also has the capacity to deliver a minimum of 860 homes, ranging in housing types with other community facilities such as a potential new primary school, local shops, space for a potential branch GP surgery, other community facilities, parks and open space.

phase 1

    • The Phase 1 employment land is located on the former coal stockyard in the north western part of the former power station.

  • The Phase 1 employment proposals will deliver c. 1.35 million sq ft of new employment floorspace for general industry/storage and distribution uses.

    • The new employment buildings will provide significant employment opportunities for local people especially those in Warrington and Widnes.

    • This first phase of development will support approximately 452 construction jobs on average per year, adding £500,000 per annum of expenditure into the local economy. Local businesses in the local supply chain will benefit with additional jobs supported throughout the project.

    • Once the scheme is completed and occupied, up to an estimated 2,100 jobs will be supported by the businesses which occupy the space, delivering approximately £126m gross value added (GVA) to the local economy per annum.

    • Workers on site will also add £2.6m of expenditure to the local economy (shops, cafes etc) once the scheme is completed.

  • Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that works will begin on site in 2024.

  • It is anticipated that the Phase 1 works will be complete by 2030, with phased occupation of the units subject to market demand.

  • You can find out more about the Phase 1 proposals on the consultation website at https://my.engaged.space/fiddlersferry

CONSTRUCTION

  • The proposals create a long-term future for the site and will be delivered in phases over a 10–15-year time period. Following demolition, and subject to planning, the commencement of infrastructure and enabling works began to take place in 2023.

  • We envisage that there will be significant employment opportunities for local contractors and local people to be involved in the redevelopment of the site. Please contact eking@fiddlersferry.com if you want to find out more and register your interest.

  • The Development Framework for the wider site has been approved, as well as a detailed planning permission for Phase 1. In parallel to the continued demolition of the former power station we will be starting on site with the infrastructure needed to deliver the Phase 1 development, which includes improvement to the site estate roads, junction improvements, installation of new service infrastructure and earthworks/remediation.

Get in touch.

If you have any further questions, please email us

Or you can contact us at:
Fiddlers Ferry Project Team,
Venus Building,
1 Old Park Lane,
TraffordCity,
Manchester
M41 7HA