The redevelopment of a disused coal-fired power station in Staffordshire has been given the green light by Cannock Chase and Lichfield district councils.

The scheme will see 2,300 new low carbon homes and a school developed on the site after outline planning permission for ENGIE was granted., They own the 139-ha brownfield site.

Colin Macpherson, ENGIE UK & Ireland's divisional chief executive, said: "We have been in positive and productive communication with all the relevant local authorities and local residents for many years now; as we pushed to drive forward with a powerful proposal that would enrich the local area and inject new homes, jobs and opportunities after the closure of the power station."

Initial work will start to the north of the development, where the coal yards are and remediation has recently begun and should finish by the end of 2022. The cooling towers are due to be demolished on 6 June 2021, which will mark a milestone for the start of the redevelopment. Infrastructure work is to begin this autumn with housing parcels allocated following remediation.

Bob Kean, Cannock Chase council interim managing director, said: "As we recover from the pandemic the development of the former power station site becomes hugely significant for us. It is one of our main economic objectives in our new corporate plan and will help us realise our ambition to be a carbon-neutral district by 2030."

The wider Rugeley masterplan includes more than 12 acres of employment space and a new country park alongside the River Trent.  ENGIE has incorporated significant local commitments as part of the section 106 agreement, including the delivery of a new neighbourhood centre and dentist facility.