‘New Green Quarter’ plans for Nottingham revealed by city coalition
Plans for a new “Green Quarter” on the site of the former Broadmarsh shopping centre have been submitted to Nottingham City Council.
The new designs have been put together by a coalition of Nottingham community organisations, residents and businesses in a move which the group says could replace the “bleak, half-demolished” Broadmarsh mall.
Nottingham Cohousing, Nottingham Good Food Partnership, local residents and a number of local businesses focussed on sustainability, are calling for a New Green Quarter for the city which would integrate nature with affordable eco housing, A-rated green business premises, new visitor attractions, urban agriculture and healthy places to eat and buy fresh food.
The submission marks the fourth set of public plans for the shopping centre site, which has laid derelict since intu went bust last summer and the site was handed back to the council.
The Green Quarter team says it has taken into account comments by the City Council that the development area must embrace the need for new jobs and inward investment as well as housing and nature.
Penney Poyzer, environmentalist and food campaigner said: “Nottingham needs green jobs, so it’s vital that we provide young people in particular with the training and skills to fill those future vacancies. For example, sustainable construction is the way forward but in Nottingham we lack the skills and facilities to create a workforce able to meet new techniques and standards. We need people with growing skills across the spectrum of sustainable urban agriculture: from rooftops to the caves there are opportunities to transform and grow our local food system.”
The masterplan has been designed by local architectural designer Steven Lane and architect Caterina Chiofalo. The proposed transformation features restored historic thoroughfares connecting the city through the Broadmarsh site around a central landscaped public square, an urban forest and connected green spaces, sustainable residential and workspaces and retains a large part of the existing building to be renovated and occupied by local independent businesses and the City of Caves attraction.
Jeanne Booth, Nottingham Cohousing said: “As a group we are all committed to the idea that it is possible to live, work and play in the heart of the city and to do it in harmony with nature. Our vision is for a sustainable development that provides homes, work and leisure spaces immersed in an edible urban landscape.”
The Green Quarter vision will be launched at an online meeting 14th January 7-8.30pm, hosted by Penney Poyzer, Steven Lane and Jeanne Booth. The team will talk through the concept, design and steps forward with opportunities for questions, discussion and feedback. All are welcome and places can be booked here https://launch-of-green-quarter-vision-for-nottingham.eventbrite.co.uk
