The plan to turn a Derby park over to wildlife is a sign that the messages about the benefits of biodiversity are getting through
The news that Derby has approved what promises to be Britain’s largest urban rewilding project so far is very welcome. The 320-hectare Allestree Park will, subject to detailed consultation, be given over to a range of habitats and perhaps even see the reintroduction of species such as dormice and red kites.
Urban rewilding – which is not the same as manicured green space, however extensive – can take many forms. They range from aiming to stem the rate of species loss by incorporating swift and sparrow boxes into new builds (there are now 247m fewer house sparrows than there were in 1980) to designating areas the size of Allestree Park.
