Dr Jo Smith, CEO of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: 

“While the park has been changing, there has also been a spring and summer of ‘community conversations’, discussions with people who use the park, and residents right across the city. With these, we are starting to get a real sense of what community rewilding means to the people who love Allestree Park.   

“From the feedback we have received it is clear that community rewilding means different things to different people. The view we have heard most is that many people are really passionate about rewilding and nature, and that they want to see a gentle, natural approach with only light-touch interventions such as improving the diversity of wildflowers and letting swathes of long grasslands grow, much like what is happening right now.  

“As part of the consultations, there have been well thought through proposals submitted for new facilities but based on feedback, we do not believe now is the right time for new infrastructure. It is important to let nature lead the way and see what emerges, and of course the community can review this in the future.” 

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby City Council are still getting a huge amount of feedback and want to continue to better understand everyone’s thoughts and ideas, working with the University of Derby to analyse the data.  

Whilst there were plans to release a draft masterplan – instead they are going to carry on the conversation, recognising that nature is ‘doing its thing’ and there is no call for changes right now. They are going to spend the months ahead widening out the community conversations approach and will keep collecting ideas and feedback to shape a park that everyone can enjoy and feel proud of. 

Jo Smith added: “It has been an energising and inspiring few months – working with people across the region to discuss the future of Allestree Park, how people use the space, and why it matters to everyone.”  

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed so far – your feedback has been invaluable, and we really look forward to spending the next 12 months continuing to listen and engage with local people. In the meantime, we are excited to continue to enable the natural rewilding of Allestree Park, to make it an even better place for nature and people and stimulate lots of other similar initiatives across the city and beyond.” 

Councillor Carmel Swan, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said: 

“This is a project of national significance which other local authorities, universities, and professional organisations are following with interest. This is a small but positive step towards tackling the effects of climate change, and if others follow our lead it could make a real difference. I would urge everyone living in Derby to embrace this project and get involved in the conversation.”  

Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, Cabinet Member for Communities and Streetpride, added: 

“No project on this scale has been done in a public park before – and the key word here is public, as it’s a space where people in a city can benefit from being in nature. This is something we’ve all appreciated since the Covid pandemic. So it’s important as the new administration that we take this time to reflect on what’s been done so far, and where we go from here. 

“Making nature and our parks more accessible to Derby citizens is our goal. We want to get it right. So, if you haven't already done so, make sure you give us your contributions in shaping this project.

“While the conversations continue, there are no plans to extend the cattle grazing across the park, or install a perimeter fence to allow this to happen. Cattle play an important role in managing grasslands and meadows, so the existing Highland cows will continue to graze fenced areas of the park at certain times of the year, exactly as they have done for several years at the park.” 

The events on the 15th, 23rd July and 5th August will continue, each to explore some of the research, feedback and outcomes to date, and dates will continue to be added to the consultation programme. The online feedback form will also remain open.