Bid to make Fiddler’s Ferry cooling towers listed building

The bid was lodged by an architectural designer in an attempt to save the structures from demolition.

The coal-fired site in Cuerdley closed last March after nearly 50 years in operation, and it is expected to be demolished following decommissioning, which could take up to two years.

But Widnes local Daniel Brown believes that the ‘amazing’ structures need to be preserved as they form part of the area’s identity.

“The cooling towers are among a limited number of structures in the area with historical and architectural interest, and they are an integral part of the local identity of Warrington and Widnes,” he said.

“The towers feature in a number of TV programmes, films, books and songs, including the opening titles of BBC’s Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and in Spike Island, a 2013 film about Stone Roses fans travelling to Widnes to see a concert on the banks of the River Mersey.

Fiddler's Ferry Power Station

“I think they are simply amazing structures and they very much define the area visually.

“They have always dominated the skyline in my lifetime, and when I look out of my window, the first think I can see is the 370ft concrete cooling towers.”

Daniel, who founded Wool Architectural Design after studying architecture at The Glasgow School of Art, says he has received a lot of support on social media from people who wish to see the structures saved.

He said that Manchester Modernist Society have taken an interest in the application, as have lecturers in architecture at The University of Manchester and a group called Rural Modernism.

When contacted by the Warrington Guardian, a Historic England spokesperson confirmed that an application has been received and that the case will be reviewed.

They said: “Historic England has received a listing application for the cooling towers at Fiddler's Ferry Power Station.

“We are in the very early stages of consideration and once our assessment has taken place, we will provide advice to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding its merit for listing.”

Fiddler's Ferry captured by Ros McHugh

The move comes at the same time as plant operators SSE submitting an application to Warrington Borough Council to request a screening opinion prior to the site’s demolition.

This informs SSE whether any planning application to demolish the site will require an environmental impact assessment beforehand.

The purpose of an assessment is to ensure that the environmental effects of the development are properly considered by providing the council with more information.

This enables an informed decision to be made about whether permission should be granted and to allow the imposition of certain conditions to mitigate possible negative impacts.

Daniel added that he would be interested in hearing from anyone who has stories, photographs or artwork relating to the towers that may provide additional support for the listed building application.

Those who do can contact him by emailing hello@woolarchitecture.co.uk