Green light for Nottingham Forest stadium expansion
A major redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground has been approved by councillors in Rushcliffe.
The club submitted proposals to lift the stadium’s capacity from 31,000 to 52,000 via two separate planning applications earlier this year.
Under the proposals, three sides of the City Ground will be redeveloped, with full permission granted to replace the Peter Taylor Stand and to redevelop the Trent End. Outline permission for redevelopment of the Brian Clough Stand was also granted, with a separate detailed application set to follow.
Both applications had been recommended for approval ahead of Rushcliffe Council’s planning committee meeting on 16 September.
A new public plaza will also be created next to the replacement Peter Taylor stand, forming part of wider public realm improvements that include an enhanced riverside walk along Trentside North, a viewpoint from Trent Bridge, and improved pedestrian connections between Pavilion Road and the riverside.
The rear wall of the Trent End has been updated to allow more light to hit the City Ground pitch under the latest proposals. Credit: KSS Group
However, the club will not be able to start demolition work until it submits a plan to manage crowd flows for an anticipated extra 15,000 spectators on match days.
A new pedestrian and cycle footbridge is being considered to manage crowds heading to the stadium, after both Nottingham City Council and Rushcliffe both ruled out the club’s earlier proposals to close two lanes of traffic over Trent Bridge to accommodate more pedestrians.
According to assessments submitted with the proposals, a redeveloped City Ground could boost the city’s economy with a GVA uplift of roughly £20-28 million per year, with annual attendances expected to increase from 900,000 to 1.4m.
The City Ground redevelopment links in with wider ambitions for sport-fuelled regeneration in Nottingham, after the East Midlands Combined County Authority launched proposals for a “Trent Sports District”, linking several of the city’s major sporting hubs, earlier this year.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said she was “delighted” the City Ground plans had been approved.
“This is a landmark moment for the club and its supporters, and a major investment in Nottingham that will benefit the wider region,” she said.
“The East Midlands Combined County Authority is working with partners on plans for the Trent Sports District, which could bring together sport, leisure, homes, businesses and the waterfront to create a new destination for people to live, work and visit. It has the potential to drive new investment, support jobs and strengthen Nottingham’s position as a major sporting destination.
“This planning approval is an important step forward, and there is a real opportunity to build on this investment and make the most of what the wider Trent area has to offer. Nottingham Forest is a huge part of our region’s identity, and the club’s continued growth can help attract more visitors, support local businesses and showcase the East Midlands to an even wider audience.”
Designs for the scheme have been produced by KSS Design Group. The project team includes Gleeds, Savills, Planit, Ramm Sanderson, Buro Happold, Mace, GIA, Steer, and PCA.
Documents and plans relating to the application can be found on Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning portal using references: 25/02123/FUL, 25/02122/OUT.
