Nottingham City Council will approve the sale of the 20-acre Broad Marsh development site in the heart of the city centre.
In documents published ahead of an Executive Board meeting on 18th March, the details have been outlined.
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The Broad Marsh site, once home to the intu shopping centre, has been a focal point of Nottingham’s urban landscape for decades.
However, the collapse of the intu group in 2020, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, left the site in limbo. The shopping centre, which had been undergoing refurbishment, was partially demolished, and the site was handed back to the Council in June 2020. Since then, the Council has been working to manage the site and lay the groundwork for its redevelopment.
The site’s history is deeply intertwined with Nottingham’s industrial past. The area is home to the City of Caves, a Scheduled Monument and one of the largest publicly accessible cave systems in Europe. These caves, along with other archaeological remains, including a medieval friary and burial grounds, have posed unique challenges and opportunities for the regeneration project.
The Council’s vision for Broad Marsh, developed in collaboration with architects, master planners, and community stakeholders, aims to create a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood that celebrates Nottingham’s heritage while looking to the future.
The master plan, crafted by Heatherwick Studio and informed by the “Broad Marsh Big Conversation” public consultation, envisions a mixed-use development featuring over 1,000 new homes, 20,000 square metres of office, commercial, and leisure space, and around 2,500 new jobs.
Key elements of the plan include the retention of parts of the former shopping centre’s structural frame, which will house a new NHS Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC), and the creation of a car-free neighbourhood rich in greenery and biodiversity. The Green Heart, a new public space opened in September 2024, has already become a focal point for the community, featuring 38 trees, a marsh pond, and a sculpture by Rachel Carter commemorating the contributions of women to the East Midlands’ textile industry.
The Council’s decision to sell the site comes after a thorough analysis of disposal options, including joint ventures and direct delivery by the Council. A targeted soft market testing exercise conducted by agents JLL revealed strong enthusiasm from developers for the project, with many expressing a desire to increase development density and deliver a range of residential tenures, including social housing, co-living, and student accommodation.
However, the Council concluded that a direct sale was the most viable option, given the significant financial and resource constraints it faces. The sale will generate a substantial capital receipt for the Council, while also relieving it of the annual £1.25 million holding costs associated with the site. The purchaser, whose identity remains confidential, has committed to delivering the master plan, with construction expected to begin in 2029/30.
The sale agreement includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will govern the future relationship between the Council and the purchaser. While the Council will not have veto power over development decisions, the MoU will facilitate consultation and collaboration, ensuring that the project aligns with the Council’s vision for Broad Marsh. The agreement also includes provisions to protect the City of Caves and other archaeological remains, with input from the Council’s City Archaeologist and Historic England.
The old Broadmarsh Centre
The decision to sell the site is not without risks. If the sale is delayed or falls through, the Council will continue to incur significant holding costs, and the redevelopment of the site could be further delayed. However, the potential rewards are substantial. The regeneration of Broad Marsh is expected to revitalise Nottingham’s city centre, creating new homes, jobs, and commercial opportunities while enhancing the city’s cultural and historical heritage.
When the sale is approved, the focus will shift to the next phase of the project, as the Council and the purchaser work together to bring the vision for Broad Marsh to life. For the people of Nottingham, the future of Broad Marsh is finally within reach.
