Iconic Fawley power station chimney to be demolished on 31st October

FOR more than 50 years it has dominated the local skyline – but at the end of the month the iconic Fawley power station chimney will be blown up.

Demolition company Brown and Mason have been working for several years on a plan to bring down the giant 650ft construction in one go, and it will finally be demolished on Sunday 31st October.

Residents living near the site have been warned of loud noises but those hoping to watch will be forced to do so at a considerable distance.

A huge exclusion zone will be enforced from 5.30am, including a temporary closure of the B3053 and footpath 46 between Ashlett Creek and Calshot.

The chimney was built between 1964 and 1971, and the huge facility was in operation a year later.

At the time it was part of the UK’s most efficient power station. But by 1992 it had become the dirtiest. Modern, more environmentally friendly systems meant the Fawley power station had to close, eventually shutting in 2013.

An £800m housing, shopping and office development is set to be built on the 300-acre site over the next two decades by Fawley Waterside Ltd.

It was hoped the chimney could be kept with plans to create a glass sided restaurant and viewing terrace at the top.

But it proved financially unviable to transform it, and the national park authority said they wanted it gone, despite 72% percent of locals in favour of retaining it.

Many have responded to news of the demolition with sadness. One said on social media: “Should have left it alone and made it into a landmark attraction like the Spinnaker tower.”

A statement from Fawley Waterside Ltd said it was “closely monitoring” the Fawley power station peregrines which nest in the tower, and it was working on an “appropriate” mitigation strategy for them.