Gleeds appointed to design Nottingham sports cluster
A plan to link up three top-class sporting sites in the East Midlands will become a major driver of growth for the region, according to regional mayor, Claire Ward.
Property consultancy Gleeds has now been appointed to draw up a masterplan for the Trent Sports District project, which will bring together Nottingham Forest’s City Ground Stadium, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and the National Water Sports Centre in a move which the combined authority says will support regeneration aims in the city.
The move is timed to coincide with the regeneration of the City Ground, which will see the stadium’s capacity expand to more than 50,000, under plans submitted last year which are currently being considered by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Submitting those proposals, the club said it wanted the stadium to become an “integral part of the economic growth of the city and the wider region”, with the venue already earmarked as a potential host venue for the Women’s World Cup in 2035.
The Gleeds framework will set out a clear long-term vision and delivery plan for sport-led regeneration across the area, and improve connections between the venues, Nottingham Station, the city centre, and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Capacity at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground could top 52,000 under new proposals. Credit: NFFC
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said the site would form a key growth area in the combined authority’s Trent Arc plan, taken to investors at UKREiiF this week.
James Naish, Rushcliffe MP, said he had already been contacted by sports clubs of all sizes who were enthused by the scheme.
“Working together on this scale provides opportunities to secure strategic investment into iconic venues like the National Water Sports Centre, and to resolve some of the operational challenges like event day parking, so I’m really pleased that Mayor Claire is taking a lead on this matter,” he said.
“We have a unique opportunity over the next couple of years to take sport in Rushcliffe and Nottingham to the next level. I’m confident that this can happen, and will be playing my part in lobbying the government for appropriate support and investment where required.
