PICTURES: Boiler house at Rugeley Power Station demolished in sixth explosion

The boiler house, a steel structure 73 metres high at the power station site, was demolished using explosives this morning.

The sixth controlled collapse took place at the site at about 10am.

An exclusion zone was put in place before, during and immediately after the collapse which was within the power station boundary fence – there was no public access to the area or impact on the local road network.

The collapse could be heard off site, by those living nearby, but any noise was over quickly, a spokesman for owners ENGIE said.

The other main structures, including the chimney and cooling towers, are scheduled to be demolished at a later date. Further details are expected to be provided nearer the time.

The demolition of the entire site is expected to be completed in 2021.

Work demolishing the site had to be paused earlier this year – like many other major projects – due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But ENGIE bosses have said the chimney and cooling towers are still scheduled for demolition this year – with the rest of the demolition due to be complete in 2021.

Back in January both Cannock Chase Council and Lichfield District Council approved outline plans to transform the site into 2,300 homes, housing for the elderly, commercial buildings and a primary school.

But back in May a revised planning application for the site was submitted which includes either an all-through school or a primary school and new sports provision.

Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader, said: “This will be a tremendous development for our county and one of the first of its kind in the country. It will demonstrate innovation in a number of ways – low carbon, efficient and green.

“The old Rugeley Power Station site will be transformed into a modern and sustainable community with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles."