Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, has welcomed the commitment from The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to "pull out all of the stops" to get the Rugeley B Power Station site redeveloped if the station closes. Amanda Milling and Greg Clark visited the site of the Rugeley B Power Station to discuss its possible redevelopment. The MP has held various meetings and talks with Engie, the owners of Rugeley B, a wide range of stakeholders who make up the Taskforce and also Government Ministers over recent weeks about the future use of the site, should the power station close. She has also spoken several times in Parliament about the immediate impact of the potential closure of the plant on the employees, contractors and wider supply chain, as well as the site's future if the power station does close. It has been indicated to Amanda that any demolition and decontamination of the site would take about three years to complete, followed by a couple of years for the site to be fully redeveloped. She has restated her commitment to ensure everything is done - both locally and nationally - to bring about the speedy redevelopment of the site and will therefore continue to meet with Engie, the Taskforce and government ministers. Mr Clark also supported recent calls by Amanda Milling for the site to be used for a gas power station, as well as housing and other business uses. Amanda Milling said: "Cannock Chase is an area that demonstrates the qualities of resilience - adapting to the challenges presented by changes to the industrial landscape over the last few decades. Once the area was dominated by mines and power stations - now Rugeley B Power Station is the last remaining reminder of our mining heritage. Where there were once mines and Rugeley A there are now new homes, business parks and logistics centres - creating thousands of new jobs. These redevelopments demonstrate what new opportunities can be created following the closure of such sites." Amanda Milling believes redevelopments of this nature present a logical future for the Rugeley B site and is aware that the Taskforce is currently exploring all options, should the station close. The Cannock Chase MP has also stated that the Rugeley B Power Station site is of national strategic importance - being unique in terms of its size, its location and its connectivity. Located in the heart of England it is incredibly well connected by road and rail links. In terms of size, it is a 374 acre brownfield site which could accommodate a range of different developments, potentially including housing, commercial/industrial units, and a gas turbine - all of which could help to deliver much needed homes, jobs and electricity. Amanda added: "The power station has National Grid connectivity, which means that there is a strong case to utilise the existing infrastructure and build a gas power station which will create jobs for the highly skilled workforce who currently work at Rugeley B. The main Fibre Optic Broadband network for the country also runs down the railway line and along nearby canals. This 'connectivity cross-over' opens up new enterprise opportunities relating to innovation and technology. I have suggested that high technology companies would find this site very appealing because of the power and fibre optic connectivity. I am pleased the Taskforce is leaving no stone unturned and is looking at all options for the site, should the station close. I believe a mixed development comprising business/industrial parks, housing and the possibility of a small gas powered station would be a good thing, however we are at the very early stages and no firm plans have been produced yet." The site is also home to the Sports and Social Club and various sporting and leisure activities and Amanda Milling believes it is important that the future of the site incorporates such facilities, which are a real value to the local community. Amanda concluded: "Whatever the development it has to focus on mitigating the loss of jobs by creating new employment opportunities for all of those affected and for the wider economy. Obviously we do not know if the station will close but it is very encouraging to see that the Taskforce is moving ahead and investigating all the options available if it does. Getting this investigatory work underway now is key for the speedy redevelopment of the site should the worst happen." On visiting the site, The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP said: "One of the things Amanda has impressed on me is driving the message that we need to pull out all the stops to make sure things can happen as quickly as possible without unnecessary delays. Not all of that is in the hands of the Government or the local councils but it's important we all make our contribution to it and as the minister responsible for the planning system I will go back to my department and make sure we stand by to operate as quickly as possible for any planning permissions that might need to be processed, and obviously the councils will have their own roles to play in that as well. Everyone is in agreement that if things are going to change it should happen as quickly as is feasibly possible."