10 November 2026
Partners join Vistry to celebrate start of work on 2,000-home Rugeley Power Station regeneration
The transformation of the former Rugeley Power Station into a new neighbourhood of over 2,000 homes has reached a milestone, with partners joining Vistry to celebrate the start of work. Representatives from Housing Plus Group and local authorities joined Vistry, the UK's leading specialist mixed-tenure housebuilder, and Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury.
Adam Daniels, Vistry’s Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting moment for Rugeley and for everyone involved in bringing this important site back into use. Today’s celebration marks the start of a new chapter for the former power station, transforming a complex brownfield site into a well-connected community with new homes, infrastructure, employment space and public amenities.”
The 139-acre site will deliver around 2,000 homes across a range of tenures, including 398 affordable homes through Housing Plus Group, alongside private rented and open market homes. The first phase, granted detailed planning permission in April, will bring forward 547 homes, a new spine road and public open space.
Wayne Gethings, Chief Executive at Housing Plus Group said: “Delivering almost 400 new affordable homes marks a key moment in our partnership with Vistry and in the delivery of our development programme as we continue to create places people are proud to call home. This exciting strategic site is a key element of growing our provision of high-quality affordable homes. As a place-based leader, we are committed to delivering for our customers and communities in Staffordshire.”
The former coal-fired power station, which closed in 2016 after more than five decades of operation, secured outline planning permission for mixed-use redevelopment in 2020.
Vistry acquired the site from ENGIE in August 2025 following demolition and remediation works led by the energy company, including the demolition of the four 117-metre cooling towers in June 2021, a major step in preparing the former power station for redevelopment.
Josh Newbury, MP for Cannock Chase, said: “Ten years on from the closure of Rugeley Power Station, it’s really exciting to see work getting underway on the site. This development is a new chapter for Rugeley and Brereton, bringing much-needed new homes on a brownfield site alongside community facilities and commercial units that will create a thriving new neighbourhood. I’ll continue working closely with Vistry and our councils as the development progresses to make sure it benefits all residents, new and existing, and is a success story for local people and businesses.”
Cllr Sean Bagguley, Acting Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “It is fantastic to see new life brought to this site once again – a decade after the power station closed. The investment in this area will not only help meet housing need, but will also help boost education, job creation and bring wider community benefits.”
Councillor Mel Cecil, Portfolio Lead for Housing and Corporate Assets at Cannock Chase District Council, said: “It is fantastic to see the transformation of the former Rugeley Power Station site moving forward. This is a major development for Cannock Chase and one that will bring significant opportunities to our district for generations to come.
“The regeneration of this site will not only provide thousands of much-needed new homes, including almost 400 affordable properties, but will also create opportunities for businesses, employment and economic growth.
“Making good use of such a large brownfield site is an important part of shaping the future of our district. I am pleased to see the progress being made and look forward to seeing this development take shape, creating a new community where people can live, work and thrive.”
Dave Bradley, Managing Director at Vistry North West Midlands, added: “Starting work on site is a proud milestone and reflects the strong partnership effort behind this project. We are pleased to be moving into delivery and beginning the transformation of this landmark site into a sustainable mixed-tenure neighbourhood that will deliver lasting benefits for Rugeley and the surrounding area.”
Alongside new homes, the plans include up to five hectares of employment space, an all-through school, a riverside park, public open space and land for commercial uses, creating a new neighbourhood designed to support local housing need, investment, jobs and community life.
The scheme is one of the Midlands’ most significant brownfield regeneration projects and reflects Vistry’s focus on delivering sustainable, partnership-led communities.