Green Heart at Broad Marsh

In 2022, we finished demolishing the old shopping centre on the site, opening up 20 acres of space ripe for regeneration. At this size, Broad Marsh is one of the largest development spaces of this nature in any core city in Europe.

We've just finished delivering the Green Heart, which forms part of the wider urban regeneration scheme that will give the space back to the community.

The Green Heart project, which provides green space and public realm, was delivered using grant funding secured from Central Government through the Transforming Cities programme.

A space for the community to enjoy

The 'Green Heart' provides a new public realm space, with nature and biodiversity being central to the transformation. The natural haven includes a range of areas for people to enjoy; whether its adults looking to find a quiet moment in the city centre, or children who want to explore and play in the new play area.

The history of Nottingham is also captured in some of the features, with the paving and seating areas carved from sandstone to mimic the feel of Nottingham's famous caves.

Located a stone's throw away from the Green Heart, we've also created a new play space on Collin Street. This play space has replaced three lanes of busy traffic, turning it into a vibrant, play-focused zone for children and families to enjoy. In fact, local children were consulted so they could help to influence the design!

The new play space in Nottingham city centre is part of a Playable Cities Initiative, aiming to create child-friendly spaces in the city centre

Driving connectivity in the city centre

Nottingham City Centre is a hive of regeneration. Green Heart sits in the heart of the city, playing an important role in driving connectivity between areas - including a direct route from the train station to the city centre.

This new public realm space opens up thoroughfares that have been closed to the public, helping to drive connectivity, including connections to Nottingham Castle and the Island Quarter regeneration site.

Biodiversity and sustainability

Returning the area to its natural routes will have huge biodiversity benefits. With ecologically rich planting and the reintroduction of the famous 'marsh', there is a range of diverse natural spaces to provide habitats and food for wildlife.

There are 34 new mature trees on the site, one is a super English oak, and two are metasequoia trees (giant redwood). There is also a range of underplants present, which includes mature shrubs such as dogwoods and witch hazels, and a meadow containing wildflower poppies and primulas. Plant species have been carefully selected to provide benefits to wildlife throughout the whole year.

By reintroducing the marsh, there are also environmental net gain benefits. With our climate becoming more and more unpredictable, the urban wetlands could help to prevent flooding by capturing and holding rainwater.

Finally, incorporating a natural haven into a built-up urban area could also help to minimise any microclimates caused by the heat island effect.

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.”