Peel NRE buys Fiddler’s Ferry
The property group’s energy arm has tied up a deal with SSE Thermal to take on the landmark Warrington power station site.
Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Peel NRE will now look to advance a 10 to 15-year mixed-use masterplan for the 820-acre site, described as one of the largest brownfield sites in the country.
The power station and its eight cooling towers sit near the River Mersey in between Warrington and Halton. Fiddler’s Ferry was decommissioned in 2020 in line with Government policy to phase out coal-fired facilities by 2025.
Peel’s proposals include the demolition of the former energy facility and restoration of ash lagoons to make way for new developments for industrial use, along with “the creation of a new sustainable community to help boost jobs and skills and address local housing shortages”.
Plans would also create extensive parkland and wildlife areas. Peel housebuilding business Northstone and specialist UK logistics development business PLP will be involved in the project.
The Fiddler’s Ferry site, which also includes agricultural land, was identified in the 2021 version of the Warrington Local Plan for the development of around 250 acres for employment use and a minimum of 1,760 new homes.
Kieran Tames, development director for Peel NRE, said: “Fiddler’s Ferry power station has been a local landmark and part of the community for many years but as the UK moves away from the use of fossil fuels for energy generation, the site was recently decommissioned by SSE.
“We now want to work with local people to develop exciting new plans and mark a new era for the site that best respects its history and meets the future economic, social and environmental ambitions of Warrington, the neighbouring district of Halton and their communities.”
John Johnson, director of development for SSE Thermal, said: “As custodians of the site for more than 15 years, we know how much it means to the local community and during the sale process we wanted to find a buyer who would ensure the site continued to play a vital role moving forward.
“In Peel NRE, we are passing the baton to a developer with ambitious plans to regenerate Fiddler’s Ferry, providing new economic opportunities for the local community, and we look forward to seeing those plans progress in the years ahead.”
Cushman & Wakefield advised SSE Thermal on its disposal.
Hard to imagine the view without the cooling towers. Transformational is an over used word but this will be
By Transformer
1760 new homes! No mention of extra schools,extra doctor surgeries etc.
By Lewis
I’m hoping they incorporate a water source in the plan to replenish the canal leading up to spike island, which has been lost since the closure of the power station. Also desperately need some local services to supply the increased demand of all the new houses, such as schools, doctors, health centre, even some retail.
By MS
Once again Peel seem to see ahead on these big strategic projects. Well done Peel.
By Simon
Broadly welcome. Let’s hope Peel show a little more vavavoom than they’ve shown with Liverpool and Wirral Waters (thirty years and still counting).
By Matthew Jones
Can you also consider schools and NHS dental. G.P etc as the area needs these facilities with the growth
By ALISON to Kipping
Just an idle observation – should there be any competition considerations here? Peel already has a strong set of strategic locations in the Liverpool – Manchester corridor.
By Rich X
We need coal fired power stations to keep the cost of energy down. They should open the power station again
By Nightwatchmen
Sad. My father helped build this and now it falls into the hands of Peel
One day people will return to carbon.
By George
We could see half used for industrial space and offices and the rest housing with new super markets and private healthcare and education facilities
By Stuart wood
“We want to work with local people….” The biggest lie all developers trot out. They dont give a toss about anything but their directors’ rewards.
By Patrick Symmond
Needs to be revisited with all the costs associated with green energy! The Government might turn away from the immediacy of green energy and reuse the vast amounts of coal reserves we have….technology must have surely improved to clean up the emissions.
By Manc
With energy prices through the roof, it should be reopened. The carbon capture technology today is much better than ever. It seems a waste of an asset that would cost a fortune to commission. When energy prices double or treble it’s unprecedented and not unreasonable to extend the life of coal power. High prices play into the hands of expensive green energy solutions. Or is that just a coincidence?
By Fck Ptn