The University of Nottingham has secured a prestigious Green Flag Award for a second site as Jubilee Campus’ impressive outside space and sustainable credentials are honoured.
Jubilee was established in 1999 on a former industrial site and has been transformed into an environmentally-friendly campus with lakes, sustainable buildings and lots of open green space. The national award scheme is coordinated by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and recognises the best public and community parks and green spaces in the country.
Nottingham was the first university to be awarded a Green Flag in 2003 for University Park, and has continued to rack them up every year since. This is the first time Jubilee Campus has been entered for consideration.
Jubilee Campus
Jubilee Campus covers 65 acres of land and is located just one mile from University Park. Built on an old industrial site, the campus is a model example of brownfield regeneration and has impressive green credentials.
There are many lakes which, as well as being home to a variety of wildlife, provide storm water for attenuation and cooling for the campus’ buildings.
Flowering meadows have been created alongside all new buildings since 2007.
Strong sustainability credentials
Chris Jagger, Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at the University, said: “Jubilee Campus had strong sustainability credentials in its design approach and principles since the first phase of development in 1999 and has received a number of notable national and regional awards recognising this. The grounds have now matured to demonstrate fully the design theory and diversity.
“The best features for me are the natural habitats created with the lakeforms and the buffer zone of landscaping on the western side.”
Mr Jagger believes there are many reasons for prioritising the development and maintenance of green spaces at the University. He said: “We have always valued the contribution that the high quality of landscaping on our campuses makes to our University and to the environment for staff, students and visitors to enjoy. We believe that green spaces make a fundamental contribution to a balanced city environment, promoting diversity and a healthy quality of life.”
Community garden
Desmond O’Grady, University Grounds Manager, said: “The campus has high environmental biodiversity and sustainability standards, and community accessibility is excellent. The Green Flag Award is a measure of quality within landscaped parks and this reflects on the professional management of the campus by the University.”
The Ground Team constantly works to improve all of the University’s campuses. Mr O’Grady said: “In 2012 we created a community garden and sitting area by the Dearing Building and this has proved very popular with students, staff and the community. The campus is a park well worth a visit.”
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 42,000 students at award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It was ‘one of the first to embrace a truly international approach to higher education’, according to the Sunday Times University Guide 2013. It is also one of the most popular universities among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the UK’s Top 10 and the World’s Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong and the QS World Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University aims to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. The University won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its research into global food security.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news