Homes England lines up Broad Marsh developer

A developer is expected to be appointed to Nottingham’s landmark regeneration scheme in early 2027, after a slew of national and international developers responded to a call issued in May.

Homes England invited developers with experience of delivering “transformative, mixed-use city centre schemes” to share their views on the process to select a partner for Broad Marsh, the former shopping centre which has lain vacant and partially demolished in the city centre since former owners Intu collapsed in 2020.

The government agency acquired the site in March 2025, following significant investment by Nottingham City Council on a neighbouring plot, which saw the construction of the new Central Library, the Broad Marsh car park and bus station, the Nottingham College city hub, and the beautiful Green Heart park.

Demolition work on the former shopping centre got under way earlier this year, with plans for the replacement scheme expected to be submitted by mid 2027.

Once a developer has been announced, Homes England says it refine its place for what it says will become a green, creative and vibrant new quarter for the city.

“The response to our market engagement has been very encouraging. It confirms what we already know. Broad Marsh is a genuinely exciting proposition for the development industry, and that there is real appetite to help us deliver something exceptional for Nottingham,” said Jo Nugent, executive regional director for the East Midlands at Homes England.

“We are now taking the time to carefully consider the feedback we have received before moving to the formal procurement stage later this year. We want to get this right, and we want a partner who shares our ambition to create a place that delivers lasting economic, social and cultural benefits for the city and the East Midlands.”

The city’s Boardmarsh Centre and surrounding area has been the subject of regeneration proposals going back decades, even before the demise of the shopping centre.

An initial consultation exercise known as the “Big Conversation” was carried out in 2022, following publication of bold designs for the area by architects Heatherwick Studio – with then city council leader David Mellen describing the collapse of the shopping centre owners as an “unexpected opportunity” for the city.

Ben Glover, director at Savills, added: “The feedback from the preliminary market engagement exercise has been thoughtful and constructive, and will help shape a procurement process that attracts the right long-term partner to deliver a transformational new city quarter for Nottingham.

“We look forward to supporting Homes England as the project moves forward into its next phase.”