Broad Marsh sale: council leader hails ‘really positive news’
The sale of the Broad Marsh site in Nottingham is “really positive news”, says the leader of Nottingham City Council.
Councillor Nehat Khan was speaking after it emerged that the council is set to vote through the sale of the entire Broad Marsh site.
The council looks set to approve the plans at a meeting next Tuesday (March 18), saying the sale to an unnamed developer will bring in a “significant capital receipt” and relieving it of the £1.25m annual upkeep of the run-down site.
The mystery developer has committed to following the council’s masterplan for the derelict former shopping centre, with construction set to kick-off in 2029/30.
Khan added: “The proposed buyer has ambitious plans for more than 1,000 homes, significant retail, office and community space, as well as the creation of around 2,000 jobs for local people. We will work alongside them to support this project, which would be complemented by the NHS community diagnostic centre at the foot of Lister Gate next year.”
Although the buyer remains unnamed, the council said: “The buyer has a strong focus on place making, sustainability and quality, and will require similar from private sector developers. This work will be facilitated in part by the recent East Midlands Combined Authority grant which has been provisionally awarded to the Council.”
In July 2021 Heatherwick Studio were appointed to create a vision for Broad Marsh area. The vision was informed by the Big Conversation, an extensive public consultation which attracted more than 3,000 responses and 12,000 comments.
The move comes after the East Midlands Combined County Authority confirmed that it would approve £3.3m towards the demolition of the remaining shopping centre shell.
Khan added: “We understand that the delayed development of Broad Marsh has been a frustration for many since the part-demolished shopping centre was suddenly handed back to the council in 2020 following the collapse of intu.
“It did, however, give us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to completely rethink the way the space was used – and we thank everyone who took the time to contribute to our Big Conversation consultation with their ideas.
“This deal, combined with all the recent council improvements including a new Central Library and outdoor play area, new Broad Marsh bus station and car park, work to open up Sussex Street outside the college and the fantastic Green Heart, would further enhance a key gateway into our city.”
