If the £40,000 pilot project is successful, it will be rolled out across the housebuilder’s city-wide development portfolio.

Once the designs for the community garden at Nightingale Quarter have been finalised, the work to transform the outdoor space into a magnet for nature, wildlife and people will commence.

The interactive garden and allotment space is expected to be unveiled during late spring 2024. 

Down to Earth Derby sees the key to success of this pilot project being regular facilitated sessions, events for all ages, and garden maintenance throughout the year.

The facilitated sessions will be designed to empower residents to actively participate in the care and maintenance of the space, promoting a sense of shared responsibility.

By working alongside residents, the organisation will aim to instil a sense of ownership — reducing the need for paid upkeep — while creating a sustainable and community-designed outdoor sanctuary.

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A food forest, woodland zone, clean composting area, raised planting beds, bug hotels and bird house making are amongst the detailed plans for the Nightingale Quarter community garden. 

James Dickens, managing director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “As an active residential developer in Derby, I could see the opportunity to create something very special and spread the infectious ethos of Down to Earth Derby to our developments. 

“What we will be delivering at Nightingale Quarter in the coming months isn’t part of a planning obligation.

“I am very proud and excited that this pilot project will be a living test bed that could ignite a national appetite for funded community gardens.”  

Jamie Quince-Starkey, founder of Down to Earth CIC, said: “My mum worked at the Royal Derby Infirmary, so to have the opportunity to create a community garden at the Nightingale Quarter development fills me with pride.  

“James and the Wavensmere team understand the importance of purposeful living and the wellness benefits of inspiring people to be active and engaged with nature and gardening. Regular allotment meet-ups can be the catalyst to bringing a new community together, while also having a transformative impact on mental health. 

“With biodiversity net gain becoming a planning obligation for all future developments, we are already looking into impact reporting that could measure the tangible benefits of the Nightingale Quarter community garden, and hopefully many more to come.”

Pictured above L-R: James Dickens, Jamie Quince-Starkey