Speaking following the public launch of the vision last week, Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said: “Seeing nature as a key thread running through the vision is exciting and presents a wealth of opportunities. Whether in terms of the aspiration that Nottingham will be a city ‘defined by thriving green spaces, rivers, canals, natural habitats and green corridors’; or a ‘Green Grid’ of people and nature centred active travel routes – anchored to Green Heart – there is so much to welcome.”   

The prospect of a network of new natural greenspaces inspired by and connected to the Green Heart is something the Trust is particularly keen to help shape and deliver and has welcomed the further announcement of a £4million plan to transform the Old Market Square with the inclusion of new greenspace.    

Paul continued: “Back in 2020 when we launched our ‘Broad Marsh Re-imagined’ campaign we felt that the city was at a turning point. We believed that embracing a nature-first approach to redevelopment could help put the City on the map after a challenging few years, enhance the lives of people living and working in Nottingham and help secure investment. Despite the level of public backing that natural greenspace should be part of the future plans for the Broad Marsh there was considerable pushback and scepticism, but seeing how the City Council and partner organisations have embraced the concept that nature has a part to play in how our city evolves – and the confidence that the Green Heart has inspired gives great hope for the future that Nottingham can be a national exemplar of urban nature.” 

The charity, which has been championing the value of urban wildlife for over 40 years, is particularly excited by the way the new vision captures how new natural green spaces are vital to the city’s cultural identity and to people’s health and happiness.  

With its commitment to the Green Heart and a nature first vision for the wider Broad Marsh redevelopment the charity feels that Nottingham City Council has demonstrated both leadership and ambition. It applauds the fact that the new Nottingham City Vision not only acknowledges that people want to see more natural green space – it sets out how embracing nature can help make the city a better place to live and work, help mitigate the challenges of climate change such as extreme weather and underpin future economic success. 

Paul added: “In launching the new vision, Nottingham City Council has made clear that to succeed, it must become a shared vision. Partner organisations, businesses and community’s will all need to play their part in making it happen. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is proud to have played a part, alongside others, in highlighting the potential that a nature-led approach to transforming our city offers and we are committed to playing our part in turning the vision into a reality.”