A host of new wildlife has been recorded at Nottingham’s Green Heart as the city-centre space celebrates its first birthday today (4 September).
The past 12 months have seen thousands of people walk through the area, with many stopping to sit and enjoy the surroundings, but it has also become home to a number of insects and small mammals.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust says that since the Green Heart officially opened on 4 September 2024, they have seen:
- Hummingbird hawk moths
- Smooth newts
- Common Darter dragonflies
- Large, small and green-veined white butterflies
- Comma butterflies
- Common carder bees
- Hairy-footed flower bees
Having publicly championed the idea of a wild greenspace, the trust has been actively involved with the Green Heart’s natural development, including overseeing the introduction earlier this year of ‘bug hotels’ to encourage insects. These were decorated by local schoolchildren.
The Green Heart was made possible by funding through the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities fund, a £161m package of funding given to Nottingham and Derby in 2020 to keep cities moving and improve connections between and around cities.
It is a key element of wider plans to regenerate the area, following the radical transformation of Collin Street from a three-lane traffic choked road to a peaceful pedestrianised area with a playground in front of the new Central Library, as well as the new Broad Marsh car park and bus station.
The Green Heart boasts 38 trees, 34 of them planted ahead of its opening last year, plus areas of colourful planting, a marsh pond area, two rain garden areas and several footpaths and places to sit.
A diverse range of trees were planted from different species to make sure that as many as possible can cope with and survive potential disease or extreme weather.
It contains three distinct planting areas, a superbloom with a variety of colourful and striking plants providing nectar to insects and wildlife year-round, a flowering meadow, and a marsh and rain garden areas featuring wetland planting. These areas are complemented by lawned spaces.
Pathways created from sandstone wind around the site, allowing residents and visitors to wander through the public space, sitting among the plants and enjoying nature. They help connect the city centre with both the bus and train stations.
A sculpture by Rachel Carter, called Standing In This Place, was unveiled in February. This recognises the contributions of thousands of unnamed women who were the driving forces behind the East Midlands cotton textile industry during Industrialisation.
Further regeneration of the wider Broad Marsh area is still to come, with work now under way on a state-of-the-art NHS Community Diagnostic Centre at the foot of Lister Gate, as well as plans for new homes and offices on the site of the former Broad Marsh shopping centre.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Property and Communications, said: “Once it became clear that there was an opportunity to transform the Broad Marsh area, we focused on highlighting our vision and encouraged everyone involved to raise their ambitions about what could be achieved.
“I am delighted that what started out as aspiration has become a reality with so many people enjoying this fantastic green space, right in the heart of our city.
“There is more to come in regenerating the Broad Marsh area, following the new Central Library, pedestrianised streets, and the bus station and car park. Homes and offices will follow in the future – providing a complete revamp for this part of the city.”
Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council, said: “The Green Heart is now firmly established as a key part of the wider transformation of the Broad Marsh area of our city and has been nominated for national awards.
“We’re so pleased that it’s proved popular with both Nottingham residents and visitors. Our link-up with the wildlife trust has been really positive and it’s great to hear that the Green Heart has attracted so many species already to an urban environment.
“Our partners at the NHS have begun work on a state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre at the top of the Green Heart where it meets Lister Gate, while landowners Homes England are continuing their plans for the wider Broad Marsh site.
“We’re excited by the development in this area and feel this part of the city will be truly special when finished.”
The creation of the Green Heart, construction of the Community Diagnostic Centre and wider demolition of the site have successfully started the delivery of a reimagined Broad Marsh. Homes England and Nottingham City Council are now working closely on the next short phase of resident, business and stakeholder engagement which will start soon. This follows on from the extensive work done by the council during the Big Conversation consultation and its purpose is to help make sure the Broad Marsh developments deliver for the needs of Nottingham and its residents.