Derby City Council is seeking nearly £1 million in government funding to expand its green infrastructure strategy and enhance access to nature-led public spaces. The funding bid, expected to be approved this week, would finance three temporary staff positions dedicated to nature-based regeneration projects across the city.
The proposal aims to scale up initiatives like Electric Daisy, a high-footfall public garden and events space launched in Bold Lane in 2022, which has become a catalyst for environmental engagement and economic activity in the area. Plans are now underway to expand the site, potentially into a mini Eden Project-style venue, pending further investment.
The broader programme will focus on increasing connectivity between green spaces, improving urban resilience, and embedding nature into regeneration plans. It includes a push to ensure that underrepresented and marginalised communities benefit from accessible green infrastructure.
A newly formed advocacy group, the Derby Nature Collective, will play a supporting role in the city’s environmental agenda, aligning with the council’s efforts to build long-term sustainability into urban development.
The funding, if secured, will be disbursed over three years, with recruitment aligned to the council’s hiring processes. The initiative positions Derby as a case study for leveraging environmental assets to drive inclusive urban growth.
