WATCH: Fawley Chimney demolished

It's been an iconic landmark in the Solent for more than 40 years

Published 31st Oct 2021
Last updated 31st Oct 2021

Explosions have rocked the Solent this morning as the 650ft Fawley Chimney has been demolished.

It's been an iconic landmark for more than 40 years but has made way for a new development.

Despite the weather, hundreds turned out to watch it go.

Fawley Power Station began operation in 1971 as a 2000 megawatt oil-fired power station but was closed in March 2013.

The current masterplan from Fawley Waterside includes the following:

  • Approximately 1,500 homes with a wide variety of sizes and tenure. From one bedroom studios and flats, to family houses and apartments, to large detached marine villas. The town will have a higher level of residential density within the Heart of the Town & Southern Quayside which will gradually reduce towards the Southern Quarter.
  • Creation of 2,000 jobs in advanced manufacturing, marine and technology industries and in support services likes cafes, shops and leisure.
  • An enlarged dock and new canal that will provide marine access to the North of the site.
  • Retention and conversion of the existing Turbine Hall basement into an underground car park for residents and visitors. This car park will have capacity for approximately 2,000 vehicles. Undercroft parking will also be provided for individual residential blocks and some street level parking will be provided in and around the Town. The Southern Quarter will have on-plot parking.
  • Provision of services such as shops, cafes, restaurants, doctors surgery, health centre and fitness uses.
  • The development will have a high-quality urban streetscape encouraging people to walk and cycle. There will also be good access to local buses. Significant improvements will be made to the main A326 link road.