Peel NRE appoints P.P.0'Conner Group Limited to demolish Fiddlers Ferry Power Station​

Fiddlers Ferry’s owners, Peel NRE, part of regeneration business Peel L&P, has appointed specialist local demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor to commence the phased demolition of Warrington’s iconic power station.

Located on the north bank of the River Mersey, 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.

After a competitive tender process, P.P. O’Connor was appointed due to their previous experience in complex demolitions such as INEOS, Runcorn, Lyondellbasell, Carrington and Stanlow Refinery, Ellesmere Port.

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.

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

Interested residents should visit www.fiddlersferry.com for updates.

Kieran Tames, Development Director at Peel NRE commented:

“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, P.P. O’Connor as we demolish
one of the countries 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.”

P.P. 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.

“We are a North West based business and have deployed our local team of experts
to this project. During the peak of the project, we will have around 120 P.P.
O`Connor staff and over 50 pieces of plant and equipment on the project.

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

Natural resources and energy company Peel NRE, part of regeneration business Peel L&P, acquired the Fiddlers Ferry Power Station from energy company SSE Thermal in 2022 and has produced a 10 to 15-year mixed-use masterplan for the 820-acre site – one of the largest brownfield sites in the country.