WORK has started on the demolition of an iconic building that was a key feature of Fawley power station.

Dubbed The Flying Saucer because its size and design, the circular control room has appeared in several films and TV shows over the past 50 years.

Most of the power station has already been blown up to make way for 1,500 homes under plans drawn up by Fawley Waterside Ltd.

The control room is one of the few structures still standing but it, too, will soon be consigned to history.

Daily Echo: The circular control room at the old Fawley power station is being demolished as part of a plan to redevelop the site. Picture: Andy Amor.The circular control room at the old Fawley power station is being demolished as part of a plan to redevelop the site. Picture: Andy Amor.

A Fawley Waterside spokesperson said: "The interior of the building has already been stripped prior to the exterior being taken down by machine later this summer."

Several people have taken to social media to voice their dismay at the building's demise, saying its location overlooking Southampton Water would make it a perfect cafe or restaurant.

The Fawley Waterside spokesperson described it as a "vast" structure that was made mainly of concrete.

They added: "To repurpose it would be extremely costly. In addition to this, its architectural form did not sit well within the current proposed masterplan to redevelop the site.

Daily Echo: The interior of the control room at the old Fawley power station, which is due to be replaced by 1,500 homes.The interior of the control room at the old Fawley power station, which is due to be replaced by 1,500 homes. (Image: Newsquest.)

"We spent many years considering how the building could be retained.

"But with no suitable and viable options we had to make the decision for it to be demolished as part of the wider demolition programme."

Demolition work will not involve a controlled explosion similar to those which have already destroyed the turbine hall and the power station's 650ft chimney, which came down last year.

The control room was used to represent the "World Control Centre" in the 1975 film Rollerball, starring James Caan.

Daily Echo: The control room at Fawley power station was dubbed The Flying Saucer because of its size and design.The control room at Fawley power station was dubbed The Flying Saucer because of its size and design.

Scenes for the sci-fi series Red Dwarf, the Channel 4 programme Spies and the British medical comedy Green Wing were also filmed in the eye-catching building.

Parts of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the 2015 Tom Cruise movie Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation were shot on the power station site.

One of the comments posted on social media days: "I'm watching Mission Impossible 5 on Film 4 and the scenes at Fawley power station have just passed.

"It looked so impressive and it's horrible to think it will be totally gone very soon."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News