Peel NRE submits demolition plans to unlock next stages at Fiddlers Ferry
Peel NRE has submitted a prior approval application to Warrington Borough Council for the final phase of demolition at the former Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, marking another milestone in the transformation of the landmark Warrington site.
Peel are seeking permission for the demolition of the boiler house, turbine hall, chimney stack, GT exhaust stack and four remaining cooling towers. Subject to approval, the works are targeted to start at the end of 2025 for completion by late 2027, with the cooling towers planned to be demolished in late 2026, continuing the multi-year process of regenerating the site.
Since the demolition of the northern cooling towers in December 2023, progress has been continuous across the site. Clearance works have focused on the gas turbine house, flue gas system, water treatment facilities, and other ancillary structures, whilst remediation is ongoing across the wider area.
The first phase of the development was approved in May 2025 and includes the construction of over 130,000 sqm of employment space expected to create up to 845 jobs, alongside new pedestrian and cycle connections and contributions towards enhance public transport services.
“Submitting this application is another important step in the journey to transform Fiddler’s Ferry. We have already delivered significant clearance works over the past 18 months and subject to approval, this next stage will allow us to continue preparing the site for Warrington’s long-term regeneration needs.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to repurpose a nationally significant brownfield site and bring forward new jobs, homes and green space for the region.”
This phase of demolition is an enabling step for the next stages of the masterplan. Subject to future consents, further employment land will be brought forward in phases alongside new site access, including a new western access from Widnes Road becoming the primary employment entrance and the existing central access serving as a secondary route.
Once the remaining power station structures are cleared, residential development is planned to commence, delivering a minimum of 860 homes – 30% of which will be affordable – supported by new community infrastructure such as a primary school, local centre, sports pitches, landscaping and extensive open space.
Several projects are already under way at the site, with Peel NRE recently coming to a long-term deal with TITAN Group to extract and process ponded fly ash from the site’s lagoons into a low carbon cement replacement product. While SSE Renewables are also currently building a 150MW Battery Energy Storage System at Fiddlers Ferry.
Peel NRE will continue to work closely with Warrington Borough Council, contractors and local stakeholders to ensure demolition is delivered safely and sustainably, while maintaining progress towards delivering the wider masterplan.