Nottingham City Council has released new images showing the major transformation of the city’s Broad Marsh area and the site of the former shopping centre, which is due to get underway later this year.
Nottingham’s wildlife-rich ‘Green Heart’ has been designed by Heatherwick Studio and developed by Townshend Landscape Architects along with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, with Heatherwick retained as a strategic design advisor.
Work has already commenced on a new public space outside the Central Library building as part of a ‘playable cities’ initiative to create child-friendly spaces in the city centre. On Sussex Street, next to Nottingham College, the new green public space will feature a mini amphitheatre, a skateable space and a multi-use games area.
The council said a key aim of the initiative was to “put the ‘marsh’ back to Broad Marsh” by introducing new urban wetlands on land that was once marshland.
David Mullen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “More green space was by far the most popular response when we asked people what they would like to see happen around Broad Marsh as part of the huge Big Conversation engagement exercise the council ran a couple of years ago.
“Anyone who has visited the area recently will see how much it has changed with lots of greenery, pedestrianised areas and seating. The creation of the Green Heart will take the transformation of Broad Marsh a major step further and be a beautiful addition to the city centre which is unique to Nottingham.”
Willmott Dixon has been confirmed as the main contractor to deliver the next phase of the regeneration scheme.
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Nottingham’s Broad Marsh Green Heart vision is a regeneration project with valuable green space at its core. Green space is important for the beating heart of all urban environments, and it brings major benefits too, according to the World Economic Forum’s ‘BiodiverCities by 2030’ report which looked at the importance of changing the relationship between nature and our towns and cities.
“Public realm space like this is also one of the key ingredients of Willmott Dixon’s blueprint for urban growth. Having been responsible for the original shopping centre demolition in 2021-2022 and sharing insight on this complicated, historic site with interested parties throughout the process, we’re excited to be maintaining a role in the transformation and using our skills to deliver the next phase.
“As a local business with a strong Nottingham presence, we’re looking forward to seeing an important area of the city re-emerge and provide benefits for people that live and work here – creating a new legacy to be proud of.”
