Nottingham's Broad Marsh site approved for public sector sale

The sale of Nottingham's Broad Marsh site has been approved by the city council. A recent comment by the council leader indicated that a public sector organization will be the buyer, though the exact identity remains confidential for now. Councillor Neghat Khan mentioned this information during a meeting on March 18. She described her comment as a "slip of the tongue" and said she was not supposed to disclose it. Nottingham City Council took control of the site in July 2020 after the former operator, Intu, collapsed. Currently, half of the old shopping center has been demolished to create Green Heart park. Funding for demolishing the remaining structure was secured with over £3 million from the East Midlands mayoral authority. The completed sale is expected to take place within the next 13 days, before the end of the financial year. Plans for Broad Marsh include about 20,000 square meters of retail, office, and community space, as well as more than 1,000 new homes and approximately 2,000 full-time jobs. Councillor Khan expressed optimism about the project's progress once the sale is official. Although the buyer’s name has not been confirmed, Homes England, a public sector organization, has been actively involved in discussions regarding the site. Initial plans include the demolition of remaining parts of the shopping center and construction of a new NHS center to help reduce hospital wait times for patients needing scans and tests. The opening of the NHS center has been delayed until 2026, according to the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. However, Councillor Khan indicated that preliminary work could begin this year. The council also plans to demolish an old college building and an NCP car park nearby. East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward welcomed the sale, calling it a vital step for the area's regeneration. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with the new owners to help make the redevelopment a success. Recent improvements like the Green Heart park and pedestrianized areas have already shown progress in revitalizing Broad Marsh.