Consultation opens on plans to create UK’s largest urban park

Derby City Council has launched a public consultation on plans to rewild Derby’s Allestree Park.

Over the next 12 weeks, the city council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust want to hear from anyone who is interested in how the park can be developed into the UK’s largest urban rewilding space, whether they live nearby or enjoy the park regularly.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who will work with the University of Derby, has put together a range of ideas for the park, but nothing will be decided until the results of the consultation are known.

Councillor Jerry Pearce, the city council’s cabinet member for Streetpride and public spaces, said: “After COP26 everyone was talking about what they could do to tackle climate change, and joining in with our consultation is an easy way to start making a difference.

“Derby is leading the way in the UK in our plans to put rewilding at the heart of Allestree Park and make it a wonderful place to benefit nature and people.

“It’s a very exciting project and I urge everyone to have their say and help shape it into the space they want to see in our city.”

At 130 hectares, Allestree Park is Derby’s largest urban park and already the city’s biggest Local Nature Reserve.

It is believed that rewilding is a step towards tackling climate change and could bring wide-ranging benefits for nature, wildlife and people.

It would also provide more opportunities for residents to improve their wellbeing by connecting with nature in a green space.

Dr Jo Smith, from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Rewilding Allestree Park would mean starting to reconnect vital habitats for wildlife throughout the city.

“It would mean more carbon is stored – directly helping to reduce the climate crisis, and it would mean people in Derby and surrounding areas have a beautiful, wild and natural space to visit – which we know is crucial to people’s wellbeing.

“Everyone now has a chance to shape what that looks like which is really exciting.”

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Derby Parks team will be running events throughout the consultation period where people can find out more about rewilding and what it could mean for Allestree Park.

Derby Parks will lead Ranger Rewilding Rambles during the school half-term holidays on Saturday 19 and Tuesday 22 February.

Details of further events will be added to the Allestree Park website please click here.

The consultation period runs until 11 April.

To have your say please click here.