Team tasked with creating new Broadmarsh vision revealed
A design and delivery advice panel for what is being called the 20-acre “Greater Broadmarsh” site has in Nottingham has been established.
Independently-chaired by Greg Nugent of The Nottingham Project, a former director of London 2012, the panel will feature key people from the city including Paul Seddon of Nottingham City Council, Nick Ebbs of Nottingham Growth Board, Louise Brennan of Historic England and Mark Chivers of Boots UK.
Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project, Jerome Frost of ARUP UK and urban designer Kathryn Frith are some of the national experts joining the group.
The names joining the independent panel have been chosen based on their expert knowledge and experience in urban redesign, architectural expertise, work on delivering major international and national projects as well as their understanding of Nottingham’s heritage and future.
All members will be joining the panel on a voluntary basis and will not be paid for their time.
The panel is being asked to recommend two aspects for the future of the site which totals an estimated 20 acres: a creative vision for the space as well as a recommendation on how Nottingham can deliver the project over the next decade.
Nottingham City Council leader, councillor David Mellen, said: ““Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in re-imagining our city centre and redefining the future of Nottingham. This is one of the largest development spaces of this nature in any core city in Europe and represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for Nottingham.
“We have said from the very beginning, since the lease for the Broadmarsh Centre was handed back to us, that to make the most of the opportunity here we will need partners and advisors with the best interests of the city at heart.
“We have received more than 3,000 responses to our ‘Big Conversation’ including a range of insightful and ambitious submissions. The newly-formed and independent Greater Broadmarsh Advisory Group will now develop a plan based on these insights as well as the input from industry experts. They will also give recommendations to the council of the best delivery method to ensure the vision becomes a reality.”
Nugent said: “As someone who calls Nottingham home it’s an honour to be asked to lead this incredible project of huge importance to our city, and also bring together an independent panel of experts who will provide exceptional experience for the task ahead.”
Other local names joining the panel include Charlotte Throssel of Disability Support, Sean Akins of Bildurn, Avarni Bilan of FlyGirl and Wigflex Festival, Atiyya Khaliq of Freeths, Sandeep Mahal of Nottingham City of Literature, Vicky McClure of The Nottingham Project, Nottingham born graphic designer Neil Minott, the leading Hucknall-based gardener Arthur Parkinson and councillor AngharadRoberts, local councillor for the city centre of Nottingham. Representatives from Nottingham’s two universities will also be joining the group.
Over the coming months the panel will develop a vision based on the insights, recommendations and proposals submitted to date as well as the knowledge and learnings from industry experts. A “creative vision” for the space will be published in the summer.
The new organisation also hopes that the demolition of the Broadmarsh shopping centre will restart in April, and completed by March of 2022.
