One of Nottingham’s most recognisable eyesores is disappearing from the skyline.
Demolition of the former NCP car park, in Maid Marian Way, is well under way and the structure is on course to be fully down by the end of November.
Jo Nugent, Executive Regional Director for the Midlands at Homes England, and Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, visited the site this week to see progress for themselves.
Removing the car park will open up views across the city that have been blocked for decades. It also frees up land for the new homes, streets and public spaces that will form the next stage of Broad Marsh. The masterplan for the site sets out a framework for around 1,000 new homes alongside new workspace, leisure and cultural space.
The work is being carried out by DSM Demolition on behalf of Homes England, which is leading the project in partnership with Nottingham City Council and the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Jo Nugent, Executive Regional Director for the Midlands at Homes England, said: “Whilst we know the demolition works have caused inconvenience for local people, this car park, if retained, would stand in way of progress. It is also beyond its lifespan and so a decision has been taken to take it down.
“Every section that comes down brings this site closer to being ready for the transformation of the city centre. When our developer partner joins us, they will find cleared land, a vision shaped by thousands of local people, and three public partners pulling in the same direction.
“We are asking the community to bear with us for a few more weeks as the demolition progresses, and completes, and we thank people in Nottingham for their patience.”
The car park is the latest visible sign of change at Broad Marsh. Demolition of the former Nottingham College buildings will also commence shortly, as will the next phase of the demolition of the former shopping centre structure.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is building a new Community Diagnostic Centre on the site, and other parts are being opened up to independent traders, artists and community groups ahead of construction.
Homes England launched its search for a developer partner in May and expects to make an appointment in 2027. The partner will prepare a planning application, and local people will be consulted on the detailed proposals.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “People in Nottingham have waited a long time to see change at Broad Marsh, and now they see it happen week by week on-site.
“Through the Big Conversation, more than 3,000 local people told us what they wanted for this part of their city centre, and we are working closely with Homes England and the East Midlands Combined County Authority to make this happen.
“I know the works on Maid Marian Way are causing disruption, and I am grateful to everyone for their patience. Once the NCP car park has been demolished, people in Nottingham will get a sense of the opportunity that exists at Broad Marsh.”
Maid Marian Way is operating as a contraflow while the demolition takes place. The traffic management will stay in place for the coming weeks. Works are expected to complete at the end of November.
People can follow progress and sign up for updates at broad-marsh.commonplace.is.