Work will start this year creating a vibrant green space in the centre of Nottingham. The Broad Marsh Green Heart will be a key part of the regeneration of the city’s former Broadmarsh shopping centre site.
Work on a wildlife-rich centrepiece will start this autumn and is one of the main elements of the overall Broad Marsh vision developed by Heatherwick Studios – the design and architecture practice that has worked on projects such as the Routemaster bus and London Google headquarters.
The Green Heart plans have been developed by Townshend Landscape Architects along with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, with Heatherwick Studio acting as a strategic design advisor.
Work is already under way on a public space in Collin Street outside the new Central Library building which, following a consultation of local school children, will have specially designed swings and seating for families to enjoy.
When Collin Street reopens, there will be a traffic-free route connecting the Green Heart and Lister Gate with a new green public space next to Nottingham College in Sussex Street, featuring a mini amphitheatre, space for skateboards and roller skates and a multi-use games area.
There will also be ecologically rich areas and diverse natural spaces providing habitats and food for wildlife running from Nottingham Castle through to the Island Quarter site and beyond.
Nottingham City Council said a key aim is to put the ‘marsh’ back into the former marshland, with urban wetlands to capture, slow down and filter rainwater – potentially preventing flooding while creating pockets of biodiversity.
Sandstone – the rock on which Nottingham Castle was built and into which the city’s unique cave system was cut – will be used for paving and seating.
Council leader Coun David Mellen 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.
“I’m particularly pleased that Collin Street will be a family friendly space that people can enjoy right outside the new Central Library.”
Gary Alden, senior associate at Townshend Landscape Architects, said they were creating a place that was part of, and inspired by, Nottingham.
He said: “Expressing the sandstone, and creating a ‘marsh’ to manage rainwater, is a nature-led solution providing an urban wetland ecosystem for wildlife and people to enjoy.
“From what the spaces once were, this has been a massive undertaking by Nottingham City Council.
“We are thrilled to see people enjoying the newly created public spaces on Sussex Street, and are excited that work has now started on Collin Street and then the Green Heart later this year.”
