Work to transform Nottingham into a ‘forest city’ will be expanded after a significant funding boost, with Nottingham City Council investing £1.5m in a ‘grey to green’ programme to create pockets of urban nature across the city.

The scheme builds on a manifesto created by Nottingham’s Climate Assembly, published in July.

Coun Sam Lux (Lab), the council’s executive member for climate and energy, said the programme was about ‘place-building’ and protecting residents from the impacts of climate change.

The exact areas for transformation have not yet been revealed, but her wish-list included Sneinton Market, Trinity Square and Canning Circus. Sneinton Market has flooded in previous years during heavy rainfall, and the programme will seek to install Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in areas prone to such problems.

Nottingham City Council will be investing £1.5 million in a “grey to green” programme, creating pockets of urban nature across the city.

placeholder image — Nottingham City Council will be investing £1.5 million in a “grey to green” programme, creating pockets of urban nature across the city.

Coun Lux said the council was expanding urban nature at a pace it had never seen before and that the work would help reduce heat, flooding and associated costs.

She also said urban nature improves people’s mental and physical health.

The programme is part of a wider investment package tabled by the council following a £20.4m underspend last year.

The authority says the investment points to much-improved finances after it declared effective bankruptcy in 2023.

A further £2.5m will also be invested in solar power and de-carbonisation in the city, giving residents the opportunity to install plug-in solar panels to bring down energy bills.

Nottingham’s Climate Assembly took place over two weekends in May, with almost 60 people representing the city’s diverse communities.

Its manifesto will inform future environment and climate policy in the city.