Housebuilder partners with organisation for Nightingale Quarter garden

Wavensmere Homes has contracted Down to Earth Derby to develop a community garden within the Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre.

The pilot project, costing £40,000, may expand across the housebuilder’s citywide developments if successful.

Down to Earth Derby, associated with Cornwall’s eco-focused Eden Project, will oversee the project. The organisation, operating as a Community Interest Company (CIC), is recognised for its Electric Daisy attraction.

After finalising the garden designs, work will begin to transform the outdoor space into a nature-friendly area. The interactive garden and allotment space are scheduled to open in late spring 2024.

James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “When I first visited Electric Daisy last year, I was inspired by the way local people of all ages are brought together throughout the week to enjoy and learn about the power of nature. As Derby’s most active residential developer, I could see the opportunity to create something very special and spread the infectious ethos of Down to Earth Derby to our developments.

“What we will be delivering at Nightingale Quarter in the coming months isn’t part of a planning obligation. I am very proud and excited that this pilot project will be a living test bed that could ignite a national appetite for funded community gardens.”

Jamie Quince-Starkey, founder of Down to Earth CIC, said: “My mum worked at the Royal Derby Infirmary, so to have the opportunity to create a community garden at the Nightingale Quarter development fills me with pride.

“James and the Wavensmere team understand the importance of purposeful living and the wellness benefits of inspiring people to be active and engaged with nature and gardening. Regular allotment meet-ups can be the catalyst to bringing a new community together, while also having a transformative impact on mental health. With biodiversity net gain becoming a planning obligation for all future developments, we are already looking into impact reporting that could measure the tangible benefits of the Nightingale Quarter community garden, and hopefully many more to come.”