Alan Lodge's Blog

Nottingham celebrated the opening of a brand-new green space today (Wednesday 4 September) in a key milestone for the wider Broad Marsh regeneration project. 

Local schoolchildren from Mellers Primary School were among the first to explore the area, learning about the ten types of native trees planted, along with the types of plants which have been added to attract pollinators and other wildlife. 

The new green space is a place to enjoy nature with 38 trees, 34 of them newly planted, plus areas of colourful planting, a new marsh pond area, two rain garden areas and several footpaths and places to sit. 

A diverse range of trees have been planted from different species, to help make sure that as many of the trees as possible can cope with and survive potential disease or extreme weather. Varieties including acers, and nyssa slyvatica will add beautiful autumn colour while other varieties that can cope better with the wet conditions around the marsh such as salix and alnus glutinosa have been added. 

The Green Heart contains three distinct planting areas, a superbloom with a variety of colourful and striking plants providing nectar to insects and wildlife year-round, a flowering meadow, and a marsh and rain garden areas featuring wetland planting.  These areas are complemented by lawned spaces. 

Pathways created from sandstone wind around the Green Heart, allowing residents and visitors to wander through the new public space, sitting amongst the plants and enjoying nature. The main path through the Green Heart serves as a clear and direct route connecting the train station with the bus station and city centre, and will be well-lit at night.  

A brand-new sculpture by Rachel Carter, ‘Standing in this place’ will also be unveiled in the Green Heart this November.  The sculpture will give voice and recognition to the contributions of thousands of unnamed women who were the driving forces behind the East Midlands cotton textile industry during Industrialisation. 

More progress on the ongoing regeneration of the wider Broad Marsh area is still to come, with a state-of-the-art NHS Community Diagnostic Centre set to open in the area, as well as plans for new homes and offices.  

The Green Heart is made possible by funding through the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities fund, a £161million package of funding given to Nottingham and Derby in 2020 to keep cities moving and improve connections between and around cities. 

The Green Heart is the latest step in the plans to regenerate the area, following on from the radical transformation of Collin Street from a three-lane traffic choked road to a peaceful pedestriansed area with a playground in front of the new Central Library, as well as the new Broad Marsh car park and bus station. 

Councillor Neghat Khan, Nottingham City Council Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, said: “I’m proud to officially open this beautiful new green space for the city. It’s wonderful to see so many people already enjoying it. Following the collapse of the intu Broadmarsh shopping centre, we asked people in Nottingham what they wanted to see in this space… they overwhelmingly asked for a new green park.  

“I’m pleased that something amazing has bloomed, creating a wonderful new space for people and wildlife alike. Thank you to council colleagues and partners who have brought this to life. 

“The Green Heart is just the latest step in regenerating the Broad Marsh area, following the new Central Library, pedestrianised streets, and the bus station and car park. New homes and offices will follow in the future – providing a complete revamp for this part of the city.” 

Nick Heath, Director at Wilmott Dixon, said: “As a business with strong roots in Nottingham, we’re incredibly proud to have played a role in this project.” 

“Creating a vibrant green space in the city centre has not only opened up routes between our different quarters, but it also provides a space for children, shoppers and workers to enjoy.” 

“We look forward to seeing both local people and the local wildlife benefitting from the Green Heart.” 

Gary Alden at Townshend Landscape Architects who developed the concept design for the Green Heart said: “The overall concept was to create a wildlife-rich green space as part of a ‘nature first’ approach. Key to our design was incorporating a wetland area that would absorb rainwater from Colin Street, reflecting the importance of wetland habitats and that the area was historically a marsh.  It is fantastic to see that wildlife is already finding its way there and making a home in the pond.  The colourful planting is attracting bees and other pollinators too.  It was important to create a place unique to Broad Marsh, with the seating boulders referencing the sandstone, which is the same rock on which Nottingham Castle was built.” 

Ares Landscape Architects are completing the design on behalf of Contractor Willmott Dixon. Associate Director Kate Shearer said: “It was important that the detailed design proposals were faithful to the concepts established by Townshend Landscape Architects. We worked collaboratively to support Willmott Dixon with their construction activities. Much of the design was bespoke and great attention to detail and care had to be taken executing the works to ensure the imagination of the concept became a reality on site” 

Speaking ahead of the opening of the Green Heart, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said: “Once it became clear that there was an opportunity to transform the Broadmarsh area, we focused on highlighting our vision and encouraging everyone involved to raise their ambitions about what could be achieved for wildlife and people. 

Our ‘nature first’ approach had significant support from the public and we are delighted that what started out as aspiration has become a reality. We congratulate everyone that’s been involved in this transformation and look forward to seeing the Green Heart evolve.  

We also look forward to working with Nottingham City Council and other partners to ensure that nature and wildlife-rich green space remain key elements of future phases of the redevelopment.” 

Oliver Hatton, director at Pick Everard who have contributed project management, surveying and design work to the project, said: “The completion of the Broad Marsh Green Heart scheme represents a significant milestone in the quest to redevelop a key part of Nottingham’s public infrastructure. 

“Our team has collaborated closely with project partners to ensure the delivery of a vibrant community space, which reflects changing attitudes to the way we view our towns and cities, with plenty of accessible greenery that contributes positively to modern sustainability goals. 

“Having been a key part of the team that has delivered several Broad Marsh initiatives, including the car park, adjacent library and Collin Street revamp, we’re proud to be continuing to lead the charge in transforming Nottingham’s future, and look forward to the Green Heart becoming an integral part of the city’s Southside area.” 

Ben Hensman, Commercial Director at ATV Contract Services, who will look after the Green Heart as the plants bed in, said: “The wetland area will become a much-needed haven for nature, providing a great spot for wildlife to thrive. With the addition of water plants that help oxygenate the pond area, we’re excited to see more urban wildlife, like insects, birds, and other pollinators, making this their home. It’s amazing to already see signs of amphibian life, showing just how important this space is for the city.”