The public consultation on plans to rewild Allestree Park in Derby is now underway.
Over the next 12 weeks, partners Derby City Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust want to hear from everyone 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.
At 130 hectares, Allestree Park is Derby’s largest urban park and already the city’s biggest Local Nature Reserve. Rewilding is a step towards tackling climate change and could bring wide-ranging benefits for nature, wildlife and people.
It would also give Derby a ‘Natural Health Service’ providing more opportunities for residents to improve their wellbeing by connecting with nature in a green space.
Dr Jo Smith at 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.
You can get involved in the consultation online at Allestree Rewilding | Let’s Talk Derby. As well as the consultation survey to complete, there is space for sharing views and ideas to get the conversation started.
Paper copies of the survey will soon be available in libraries in Derby and from the main reception at the Council House in Corporation Street, Derby. You can also call 01332 640000 to ask for a paper copy, or a copy in an alternative format.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Derby Parks team will be running events throughout the consultation period where you 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 at Allestree Park on Saturday 19 and Tuesday 22 February. Meet at the main car park for a 10am start.
Details of further events will be added to the Allestree Park website at inderby.org.uk/allestreepark as they are confirmed.
A spokesperson for Derby City Council 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.
The consultation period runs until 11 April.