By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Major plans for the redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground following their promotion to the Premier League are set to be decided next week.
Nottingham Forest Football Club have submitted a full planning application for the redevelopment of the Peter Taylor stand.
This will include the demolition of existing buildings and structures, a new public space, replacement club shop, car parking and outline planning permission for up to 170 residential units.
Planning officers at Rushcliffe Borough Council have recommended the plans be approved but councillors will make the final decision when they meet on Thursday, July 28.
The scheme is designed to expand the capacity of the stadium. The total construction costs for the whole scheme are expected to be around £94.4m.
In the design and access statement, the club states: “The City Ground has been home to Nottingham Forest since 1898.
“Since arriving at The City Ground, Nottingham Forest have enjoyed significant success and at their peak were the best team in Europe winning back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
“It was this success that led to the construction of the Executive Stand [now the Brian Clough Stand] in 1980 which included a capacity of 10,000 along with 36 executive boxes.
“In the 1990’s both the Bridgford Stand [1992-1993] and the Trent End [1994-1996] were rebuilt, following which a number of Euro 1996 games were held at The City Ground.
“The Peter Taylor Stand itself was constructed in 1965 and sadly hasn’t had the investment to date of the rest of the stadium following a flurry of development in the 80’s and 90’s.
“Having largely been untouched over the last 50 years, following it being rebuilt after the fire of 1968 during a game, the Peter Taylor Stand remains the oldest stand at the City Ground.”
The club says the City Ground “falls significantly below the stadium capacity of a number of teams” in the Premier League.
The current capacity of the Peter Taylor Stand is around 5,000 spectators, significantly lower than the other three stands, particularly the Brian Clough which has a capacity of over 10,000.
Plans are to ensure the Peter Taylor Stand has a 10,000 seat capacity, which will be split between the three tiers of the new development.
A plaza also makes up the plans, which will be hailed as “a gateway to the development” with pedestrian and vehicle access.
A number of comments have been received by the public and resident groups as part of the application.
Steve Barlow states: “This is long overdue to bring the City Ground up to Premiership standard.
“Considering other recent developments next to the City Ground i.e. Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and the Bridgford Hotel (now The Waterside) I cannot see why a decision to grant this application has taken so long.”
Jeff Wood added: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for the area and the club bringing in more jobs and money into the area.”
Two resident groups have objected to elements of the plans, including the residential part of the application.
The club wants to deliver two new residential blocks – a mix of studios, one bed, two bed and two/three bed duplex residential apartments and parking/ cycle facilities.
It is asking for outline planning permission for access, layout and scale and says the scheme will deliver “much needed quality housing” in the area.
Geri Griffin, from the Central West Bridgford Community Association, said: “The 170 new residences, along with accommodation for 5,000 additional spectators in the football ground, will exert increased pressure on local infrastructure,”
Sian Trafford, chair of Lady Bay Community Association, added: “Because we, and the people we represent, are local residents, we are well acquainted with the area of the proposed site and the problems that already exist for residents of roads around the stadium (Rosebery, Thoroton, Colwick Roads etc).
“These problems, particularly with parking, spill over into Lady Bay on match days, and on occasion result in the Number 11 bus having to be rerouted because it cannot travel down Trent Boulevard.
“We are therefore concerned that, if this development goes ahead, these problems will occur on a daily basis, turning Lady Bay into a car park and endangering residents because access may be hampered not only for buses but also for emergency vehicles. We are therefore objecting to the development of the flats.”
