Although much of the land in the city has been developed, around a quarter remains open and un-built on. We call this Derby's urban countryside.
Derby City Council is committed to properly balancing the protection of our urban countryside with the need to allow for new homes and jobs. This commitment to Derby's natural heritage forms a key part of the Council's Environmental Policy which seeks to protect and enhance the natural heritage we have now for the enjoyment of future generations living and working in Derby.
There are planning policies in the
, CDLP, which aim to keep these areas of urban countryside open and free from development. The CDLP contains policies giving these areas a level of protection appropriate to their importance and are a key consideration in deciding planning applications which may threaten these features.
The policies in the CDLP are supplemented by the Derby Nature Conservation Strategy. This document gives a context to the work of the Council as a planning authority and land manager, helping our work with others to protect and enhance Derby's natural heritage. Most of the urban countryside in Derby is contained within green wedges. These areas of open land include parks, schools and farmland that link the surrounding countryside into the city. They give a structure to the city, keeping different communities distinct. They all provide important areas for wildlife and are used by local people for recreation around the city.
With the help of experts, including those from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, 
we have identified the most important areas of natural heritage in the city. These include areas of unusual plants and shrubs, areas where animals and birds live and feed and the city's Regionally Important Geological Sites, known as RIGS.
There is one Site of Special Scientific Interest, SSSI, in Derby at Boulton Moor where Ice Age hippo bones were found. These bones can now be seen in the Museum and Art Gallery. Here there are also fascinating exhibitions about wildlife and geology to be found locally.
Nine areas of the city, eight managed by Derby City Council and one by Derbyshire County Council, have been designated Local Nature Reserves, LNRs:
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Sinfin Moor Park and Nature Reserve, Sinfin
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Elvaston New Nature Reserve, Elvaston Castle - managed by Derbyshire County Council, part of which falls inside the city boundary.
It is not only the very special that we try and protect. All features of natural history importance, like mature trees, hedgerows and ponds, are given appropriate protection by our planning policies.
Further information
To find out how you can help our work to maintain and improve the intricate mix of urban countryside that forms the natural heritage of Derby, refer to our Countryside Directory, or contact:
Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB
Telephone 01332 255021 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email wildderby@derby.gov.uk