The Green Heart project is a key element of the vision for Nottingham’s 20-acre Broad Marsh area, transforming a site that was previously a large shopping centre before it was demolished.

The Green Heart introduces green, ecologically rich habitats and food for wildlife, forming a green infrastructure network linking the Broad Marsh area from Nottingham Castle through to the 36-acre Island Quarter regeneration site and beyond.

A key aim is to put the ‘marsh’ back to the Broad Marsh, introducing new urban wetlands on land that was once a marshland ecosystem to capture, slow and filter rainwater, potentially preventing flooding and creating pockets of biodiversity.

Work will commence this autumn with Willmott Dixon already on-site nearby building a new public space outside the new Central Library.

The design of the Green Heart is unique to Nottingham and has been developed by Townshend Landscape Architects along with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Having been responsible for the original shopping centre demolition in 2021-2022 and sharing insight on this complicated, historic site with interested parties throughout the process, we’re excited to be maintaining a role in the transformation and using our skills to deliver the next phase.”