A year after demolition, Didcot awaits next chapter

Now, one year later, the same people – and others – are waiting with bated breath for the next chapter; the demolition of the final three cooling towers still dominating the skyline.

Plans are moving swiftly to turn the Didcot A site – which has just three towers remaining – into a modern housing development of up to 400 homes. In the future, if plans are approved by Vale of White Horse District Council, the site could also hold a small food store, a hotel, and a pub or restaurant.

The first three cooling towers were demolished on July 27 last year after acting as a local landmark for 50 years.

More than 1,000 people set their alarms early to come out in the darkness and see the iconic buildings crash to the ground at 5am, despite owner nPower trying to persuade them to stay at home and watch the demolition via live stream.

Now just three remain, with their demolition planned for autumn next year.

Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council Matthew Barber said he remembered the first demolition as a momentous occasion for all locals but hopes it will be different when it is time for remaining trio to collapse.

He said: “Last time there was a lot of controversy the way npower did the demolition. They made reasonable arguments about safety but a lot of people said doing it in the middle of the night was not the way such a momentous occasion should have been. This time it might be a bit better, it won’t be as close to the railway lines.”

Those eager to watch the explosion are waiting excitedly to hear if this time it will be at a more sociable hour, but look set to be disappointed.

A spokesman for npower said: “Timing of the event is dictated by health and safety concerns as well as minimising any disruption to local residents in the area.

“The demolition of Didcot A started 18 months ago and the site has significantly changed during this time. Specialist demolition company Coleman & Company are now halfway through the technical demolition of the old coal-fired power station. Plans are progressing well and the next phase of the project is due to be completed by the end of the year. We would like to thank residents of Didcot for their support, patience and understanding during this time while changes are taking place on site.”

Karen Waggott from Didcot remembers the house shaking one year ago when the towers were demolished and said the noise woke up one of her twin sons, who was six at the time.

But she said although she grew up recognising the power station as a local landmark, she has not really missed them much.

• All change: The state of the demolition last month

“We haven’t really noticed them gone too much,” she said. “We still have the other three big towers so when we go away we can see them when we come back.

“They were a big part of my life and I remember sitting and staring up at them when I was a tot – but I was not one of those people to say ‘oh no, they’re going’.”

Following the demolition, graphics designer Mrs Waggott created a colourful collection of mugs showing Didcot A power station in all its former glory. She said the mugs were still popular and selling really well one year on.

Leader of Didcot Town Council Charlie Robertson said he supported the plans for 400 homes on the former Didcot A site, but said it was “essential” the town got the infrastructure that goes with it.

He said: “I’m 100 per cent committed to seeing the town grow. Power station A will have a knock-on effect on people’s daily routines during development but will enhance the town in the long-term.

“Critical thinking is required when making decisions to ensure that we don’t unduly add to the pressure our roads face.

“Additionally, safe walking routes must be factored into plans to allow those moving to the area to access the town centre. Without this, Didcot Town Council would not approve any plans.”