The demolition set to begin before the end of the year.

New owner, Peel NRE, Peel L&P’s natural resources and energy company, has submitted documents to the council to prepare the first phases of development at the northern part of the Widnes Road site which will include the demolition of the four northern cooling towers, nearby admin buildings and clearance of the former coal stockyard and machinery.

The facility will make way for the development of around 250-acres for industrial and employment use, and approximately 1,750 sustainable new homes.

Plans will also create new parkland, paths and wildlife areas.

Cooling towers which have been visible for miles around for decades are set to be reduced to rubble, with the demolition process set to start over the coming months.

The whole clearance operation is expected to take between four and five years in total, encompassing the entire 820 acres site – which is the equivalent of around 410 football pitches.