THE demolition of Longannet will continue through 2021, with a notification submitted this week to knockdown the former ash processing plant.

Applicants Tarmac Clement and Lime are looking to clear the ScotAsh Processing and Packing Facility as a result of the demise of the Longannet site.

Following the closure of the power station in 2016, the supply of pulverised fuel ceased.

Imported material was used for a number of years but the applicants say it is no longer effective in the present market climate due to a shortage of availability.

A statement on the prior notification demolition form said: "The business has unfortunately taken the decision to cease its operations on site and not to renew the lease with Scottish Power (landlord).

"A condition of the lease is that the site must be clear of all structures and buildings back to ground/foundation level."

The application comes after another controlled explosion at Longannet at the start of February.

The remaining section of what was once the boiler house was blown down by demolition contractors Brown and Mason.

It was the last major structure to be blown down ahead of the demolition of the iconic chimney stack that still stands on the site, expected later in 2021.

Longannet, which first started generating in 1970, used to power two million homes on average each year when at full production.

At 2.4GW, the site was Europe’s largest coal-fired power station when first built and remained Scotland’s largest coal-fired power station until its closure.