Calls for impact assessment before Fawley Power Station is replaced by 1,500 homes

Campaigners are calling for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be carried out before the huge building is demolished to make way for waterfront properties and a marina.

They fear the power station –built in the early 1970s – could contain asbestos and other hazardous materials.

Colin Thompson and Richard Tamplin are challenging a decision taken three years ago by the district council, which ruled that no EIA was necessary.

In a report published at the time the council said the “right range of mitigation” would prevent the demolition having any significant impact on the environment.

But the two men have dubbed the decision “fatally flawed” in a letter to Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid.

Mr Thompson and Mr Tamplin are urging Mr Javid to ensure that the building is torn down in a way that protects its surroundings.

Describing themselves as “concerned local residents” they told the Daily Echo: “The power station is surrounded by the New Forest National Park and also abuts nature conservation sites that have the highest levels of national and international protection.

“From a planning policy point of view this is a very sensitive site.”

Referring to the possible demolition of the power station and subsequent redevelopment of the site they said the project could cause “serious and irreversible damage” to environmentally-important sites in the area.

They added: “We believe an EIA must be in place before any demolition work starts.”

The power station is owned by Fawley Waterside Ltd, which is thought to have paid energy company RWE £25 million for the 300-acre site.

An outline application to build homes and a marina on the land is expected to be submitted later this year.

A Fawley Waterside spokeswoman confirmed that limited demolition involving small structures was already being carried out, but said the work was in line with consents that RWE obtained from the council in 2014.

She added: “At this stage Fawley Waterside have no fixed plan to bring down any of the main structures.”

A council spokesman added: “If an owner wished to demolish Fawley Power Station they would have to submit a form of planning application known as a prior notification application. We have not received such an application.”

The power station – one of Hampshire’s biggest buildings – includes a huge turbine hall, a 650ft chimney and a circular control room that resembles a flying saucer.

It had the capacity to generate enough electricity to power more than one million homes but closed four years ago after failing to meet new environmental standards.

In 2014 it was among the locations used by the makers of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, starring Tom Cruise as secret agent Ethan Hunt.

The Daily Echo contacted the Department for Local Government several days ago and asked for a comment but has not received a response.