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A New Green Urban Park for Nottingham - a New Central Park - a Forest of the Imagination

Rick Hall has been thinking about the creative possibilities for the future of the Broadmarsh area of Nottingham


A time to rethink


The pandemic and its consequences have given us the opportunity to rethink our priorities. The development of the southside of the city has been a long time in coming; and just as the plans are being realised a major partner and location has gone into administration.


This in itself is both an opportunity but also perhaps a signal that the development of the Broadmarsh, even as a refreshed location for a mixed economy of retail and leisure, was teetering on the edge of viability even before COVID19.


The evidence is anecdotal – but nevertheless suggests that people in lockdown have welcomed the opportunity to rethink their personal as well as the city’s priorities; more shopping and leisure online, reconnecting with the natural environment, appreciating the quieter, less polluted centre and neighbourhoods. Yes, there have been many downsides, and people have missed social congregations, pubs and restaurants; but will they want to return to a second mall when Victoria Centre is itself under pressure, not to mention Debenhams, Bridlesmithgate, Flying Horse Arcade?


And Broadmarsh, even refreshed was only likely to attract retail tenants that are found elsewhere in the City... would the ‘convenience’ of finding a second Wilko, Poundland or Ernest Jones in the southside development really sustain the economic viability of what has always been regarded as the #2 shopping mall?


New priorities


There is broad and substantial support for the new policies for the City, notably CN28; but also:

• the development, support and encouragement of small and independent retail, hospitality, digital and creative and making businesses;

• housing including cheap and affordable homes, but also solutions to the homeless challenges;

• new skills for future employment;

• economic recovery through culture and digital technology;

• inward investment through a wider range of purposes and opportunities in the city centre (winter wonderlands, the beach, light night and markets);

• education for a global studentship;

• and progress towards Nottingham as a Child Friendly City.


Let’s list these and explore how a different kind of Central Park for Nottingham could contribute towards these new priorities.


This is not an attempt to create a master plan into which every solution is squeezed.


Urban Greening and CN28


Urban parks are shown to improve both the environment and the well-being of people. And yes, pocket parks are one form of these; but the impact of a substantial area of green natural environment so close to the city centre would be dramatic. A wildlife corridor, a ‘forest of the imagination’ between the Market Square and the New Library, could become an area for education and the study of wildlife and the natural environment, for research and conservation, air quality monitoring and bio- diversity. (Nottingham took part in the international City Nature Challenge this year for the first time).


Part of the corridor from the Market Square to the New Library (including Listergate) could be enclosed to create a Winter Garden... (it doesn’t have to be as grandiose as Sheffield..)