Community garden launched at £175m Nightingale Quarter

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project, has launched a community garden at the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre.

The £40,000 project is a collaboration between Wavensmere Homes and Down to Earth Derby, set to be implemented across Wavensmere’s city-wide developments.

For the past six months, residents of the 18.5-acre redevelopment of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary have worked with Down to Earth to plan, landscape and plant a community garden.

Sir Tim Smit, mentor to Down to Earth Derby, said: “The nature-based regeneration that’s been achieved across Derby during the past 12 months shows the potential, together with the public support and appetite for more vibrant urban spaces. Down to Earth launched Electric Daisy 12 months ago and has received fantastic support from local people, businesses and organisations.

“Derby is becoming an outstanding symbol of regeneration, famous across Europe. As the community garden was not a planning obligation, we are very grateful to Wavensmere Homes for the investment, commitment and shared vision. Collaborative nature projects like this bring people together to learn about flora and fauna, and the joy that comes with growing seasonal fruit and vegetables. I am encouraging all those involved to see that the success of this pilot may ignite a national appetite for funded community gardens.”