Vistry Group plans for former Rugely Power Station

ENGIE has completed the £45 million remediation and transformation of the former Rugeley Power Station site, culminating in the sale and transfer of the land to Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading mixed-tenure housebuilders.

The closure of the coal-fired power station in 2016 marked the beginning of a long-term regeneration effort aimed at converting the brownfield site into a sustainable, community-focused neighbourhood. Over the past nine years, ENGIE has overseen the demolition of the former power infrastructure and extensive environmental remediation to make the land suitable for redevelopment.

Planning consent for the site has been secured, enabling the creation of 2,300 new homes, five hectares of employment space, and an all-through school scheduled to open in September 2025. ENGIE supported the school’s development by gifting the land and constructing a new access road.

In addition to residential and educational infrastructure, ENGIE partnered with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to create a 26-hectare Riverside Park. This green space will provide public access and contribute to local biodiversity, reflecting ENGIE’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Miya Paolucci, CEO of ENGIE UK, described the transformation as a shift "from coal to clean," noting the importance of aligning redevelopment with sustainability and long-term community needs. "We have been proud to lead its transformation into a place focused on sustainability, community, and opportunity," she said.

The completed site has now been transferred to Vistry Group, which will be responsible for delivering the planned housing and infrastructure. Michael Moore, Managing Director of Vistry North West Midlands, emphasised the urgency of housing delivery in the region. "Rugeley has a severe shortage of housing and that’s something we’re aiming to address by delivering affordable and social rent homes, as well as PRS and open market homes, and crucially delivering them at pace."

The regeneration of the Rugeley Power Station site is part of a broader trend across the UK, where decommissioned industrial sites are being repurposed for residential, commercial, and environmental uses in response to growing demand for housing and sustainable development.

The redevelopment is expected to generate economic growth in the Rugeley area, providing new employment opportunities and improved amenities while preserving the legacy of a historically significant energy site.