Nine Yards sits on a 20-acre site in Acklam, Middlesbrough, which is being transformed into a place for nature, learning and community action.
The site is being developed to support nature restoration, increase biodiversity, and create more opportunities for local people to connect with the natural world.
Many people know the site as the former Nature’s World site. Nine Yards is taking this site into a new era that reflects the needs and position of Tees Valley now and in the future.
Volunteers from Friends of Nature’s World continue to care for areas of the site, helping to protect its legacy as Nine Yards moves into a new chapter.
A place for nature
Nine Yards is home to a rich mix of habitats and growing spaces, including:
Community allotment
Community orchard
Wildflower meadows
Reed beds
The Flower Patch
Forest school
Woodland
Horticultural gardens
Model of the River Tees
These spaces are being managed to give wildlife a safe place to live in an urban environment. They also help people learn more about nature, food growing, sustainability, and the environment.
A place for people
Nine Yards is not just a site for nature. It’s also a place for people.
Through volunteering, learning, growing, and community activities, local people can build skills, meet others, and reconnect with nature. Everything we do focuses on sustainability, education, community and the natural world.
Developing the site
A range of buildings and structures across the site are being redeveloped so they can better serve the local community.
This includes creating a ‘Third Space’ for community members and local organisations. This will be a welcoming place where people can connect, collaborate, share ideas, and work together.
Future plans also include redeveloping one of the largest hydroponic centres in the UK and transforming the old botanic centre into a flexible community space. This will include a volunteer area, community kitchen, meeting space and warm hub.
The building will be fully accessible and will support the delivery of Nine Yards’ work, while also providing a useful space for local communities.
Sustainability at Nine Yards
At Nine Yards, redevelopment means sustainability.
Our redevelopment work focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting biodiversity, and making spaces as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Our Sustainable Development Plan guides this work. It sets out how Nine Yards will use low-carbon technologies, contribute to biodiversity net gain, and make sure everyone can get involved, whatever their background or physical ability.
