The principles, agreed by organisations including Nottingham Good Food Partnership, Nottingham Liberal Democrats, Nottingham Green Party, Nottingham Co-Housing and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, aim to ensure that any future development puts nature at the heart of economic recovery, meets or exceeds sustainable building principles, underpins Nottingham’s 2028 Carbon Neutral commitment and addresses issues such as social inclusion and food security.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of the groups which he will chair next month, former Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson, said: “It is clear that there is a huge public desire to see natural greenspace as a central focus for the Broadmarsh redevelopment but with the City Council and its expert panel now considering a much larger redevelopment area it is vital that the plans brought forward signal that Nottingham is a city with genuine green ambition. The proposals must be transformational and become an exemplar for the whole City. We can’t accept a ‘business as usual’ approach for the Broadmarsh and I’m delighted that the green umbrella partners intend to hold the Council’s feet to the fire to ensure that the proposals are suitably ambitious, inclusive and sustainable.”

Members of the group, which includes some of Nottingham’s biggest environmental champions, have previously developed and submitted visions as to how the site could be developed. They are now collaborating to ensure that the council and panel are aware of the level of agreement over the principles that underpin the future transformation of the site.

The shared principles the green umbrella groups wish to see adopted are as follows:

Nature First - Redevelopment of the Broadmarsh area must be rooted in the nature first principle; putting nature at the heart of recovery, mitigating climate change impacts and delivering accessible natural greenspace. At least 70% of the area should be devoted to nature.

Sustainable Design  Construction must comply with the UK Green Building Council framework, achieving net zero carbon impact during development and future energy needs. The site must generate renewable energy, be unconnected to the gas grid, using only renewable energy or passive ventilation systems.

 Equity and Diversity and Accountability

The plan must be for a transformational landmark development of heralding a new era of sustainable urban planning for Nottingham. It must become an exemplar for the whole city, underpinning Nottingham’s 2028 Carbon Neutral commitment. It must showcase the City Council’s Wellbeing Design guidelines and Co Place principles, addressing key issues such as food security and social inclusion.

The green umbrella partners believe that events over the past 12 months including the public’s demand for to access greenspaces during lockdown and the acceleration of changes in high street retail operations mean Nottingham has a once in a lifetime opportunity to agree an iconic plan that demonstrates the city’s green ambition, stimulates economic recovery and enhances the life chances and wellbeing of residents.

The group welcomes input from other interested parties who share their agreed principles and wish to help secure a green future for the area. To contact the group, people can email lizthomas10@gmail.com