Rewilding Allestree Park, Derby | IN-PERSON SITE VISIT

Hosted by the CIWEM East Midlands branch 

Event description

Join CIWEM for an evening in Allestree Park, Derby, to learn about the UK’s largest rewilding project.

Derby City Council is working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the University of Derby to rewild the 300 acre Allestree Park. Following a public consultation earlier in 2022, the project officially received the go-ahead to allow Allestree to return to a more natural state.

Rewilding the park has multiple benefits such as providing new and diverse habitats for wildlife, helping the city meet its carbon reduction targets, and providing a ‘natural health service’ for residents who can improve their wellbeing by connecting with nature.

At this event, David Winslow from Derby City Council will lead a 2-hour exploration of the park, outlining the plans for rewilding in the different areas, and the benefits for the city and residents.

We welcome both CIWEM members and non-members to join the CIWEM East Midlands branch at this technical visit aimed at environmental professionals. Please note this event is not a public consultation.

Part of the CIWEM of the Land and Water Management series.

Booking and joining information

This event is open to members and non-members of CIWEM.

Please note there is limited capacity at this event. Bookings must be made through 'My CIWEM' using the above booking link and are only confirmed once you have clicked ‘proceed & submit’ in the cart and received a confirmation email. Should you be unable to attend the event after booking, please cancel to allow other delegates to take the place.

If you have any questions about your booking or would like to cancel your attendance, please contact barbara.woods@ciwem.org.

If you have any queries about this talk, please contact Katie Loakes-Vial at Katie.Loakes@severntrent.co.uk.

About the visit and getting there

Allestree Park is the largest open public space in Derby and covers 130 hectares. It bridges the gap between the built environment and green countryside on the northern edge of the city.

There are toilet facilities available. Please wear clothes suitable for all weathers, including sensible footwear, as part of the visit will take us over stone tracks and muddy ground.

We will meet in the main car park off the A6 Duffield Road/Burley Hill.

Travelling to the venue

As part of CIWEM’s commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency we would encourage delegates to use the most environmentally sustainable means of transport possible.

By Train

The nearest railway stations to the park are at Duffield (2.3 miles), Derby (4.5 miles) and Belper (5 miles) from where you can catch buses that stop near the park gates. Buses stop near the park gates in Duffield Road.

The three closest railway stations to the park are all serviced by East Midlands Railways trains. They are:

Duffield Railway Station, Station Rd, Duffield, DE56 4EP (2.3 miles)

Derby Railway Station, Railway Terrace, Derby DE1 2RU (4.5 miles)

Belper Railway Station, Belper, DE56 1FX (5 miles)

Buses run from all three stations to the park, taking 16, 23 and 25 minutes respectively.

By Bus

Derby Bus Station, Derby DE1 2AW is 3.8 miles from Allestree Park gates and the journey by bus takes around 25 minutes.

The no. 6.0 the sixes, 6.1 the sixes, 6.3 the sixes and 6.4 the sixes bus routes run from the bus station, as well as from Duffield, Derby and Belper railway stations.

Cycling

The park is only 12 minutes cycle ride from Duffield Railway Station or around 25 minutes from Derby and Belper Railway Stations and Derby Bus Station, and there are parking facilities available.

By car

Parking is free in the main car park off the A6 Duffield Road/Burley Hill. Free parking is also available at the Woodlands Road car park, which is a short walk to the meeting point but please try to use public transport rather than driving to get to the park.

If you are coming by car, please consider sharing the journey with others to reduce your environmental footprint.

As this is an in-person event, please remain vigilant to control the spread of COVID-19 and stay safe.

We would request that if you think you might have contracted COVID or have recently had the disease, that you do not attend the tour.