News, Politics

Nottingham Forest City Ground redevelopment plans back before planning committee

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

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Nottingham Forest’s City Ground redevelopment plans are back before a council planning committee three years after they were first approved.

The proposals to redevelop the existing Peter Taylor stand and build a new apartment block were granted permission by Rushcliffe Borough Council in 2022.

The new plans are largely the same – meaning they are likely to be returning to the council because the original planning consent is due to expire next month, with no work having been started by the club after it hit a number of hurdles along the way.

Problems have included the need to replace the Nottingham Rowing Club’s Britannia Boathouse facilities, on the south bank of the River Trent and close to the ground.

To go ahead with the development, the club will need to demolish the boathouse.

Negotiations between Nottingham Forest and former City Ground landowner Nottingham City Council also hit delays.

The new planning documents reveal a legal agreement will now be signed with the rowing club for the replacement of its facilities, while the land sale was finalised with the City Council earlier this year.

The club has now put the plans back on the table for fresh approval at a Rushcliffe Borough Council meeting on Thursday, June 26.

A joint statement from the club and council says: “Nottingham Forest has been in regular dialogue with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council regarding the redevelopment of the City Ground.

“The parties can confirm they are working towards the Rushcliffe Borough Council Planning Committee date of Thursday 26 June to consider the application. There will be no further comment other than as required by the relevant legal process.”

In July last year Nottingham City Council, which had owned the land the City Ground stands on, agreed to make the land available for sale to the club for an undisclosed fee.

Negotiations between the Nottingham Forest and the council stalled when the authority proposed a rent hike upon the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

The club had been initially seeking an extension to its lease of the land, to provide more certainty over its expansion plans.

The Peter Taylor Stand was originally constructed in 1965, before being rebuilt in 1968, and the new five-storey structure would become the tallest stand at the ground if approved.

Its capacity will be increased to 10,000 people, while the hospitality suites and boxes will also be increased in size, with the largest suite expected to have room for 1,200 people.

Alongside the redevelopment of the stand, documents show the club is further looking to demolish its champion centre, club shop, and the Nottingham Rowing Club’s Britannia Boathouse building, to make way for further redevelopment work.

Following negotiations, revised plans have been submitted for the apartments, with the number having now been reduced from 250 in the initial submission to 169.

The 13-storey block is expected to feature 88 one-bedroom flats, 76 two-bedroom flats and five three-bedroom flats, alongside 67 parking spaces and seven shops at the ground floor.

While the plans have received significant levels of support, a number of objections have also been made.

Trent Bridge ward councillor Liz Plant said she neither objects to or supports the proposals, but raised concerns over traffic, parking, and the lack of consultation between residents and the club.

Both Cllr Richard Mallender (Green) and Cllr Sue Mallender (Green), who represent the Lady Bay ward, have objected to the application.

They have cited concerns with the “overdevelopment of the site” and the “already extremely congested” Radcliffe Road and Trent Bridge area.

Similarly Cllr Penny Gowland (Lab), who represents the nearby Abbey ward, has objected to the proposals.

Documents further state the club will have to enter a legal agreement with the Nottingham Rowing Club for the replacement of its boathouse.

The agreement requires the replacement of the existing boathouse facilities prior to any demolition work starting.

New separate planning permission will likely to be required for the replacement facilities, and it would be a requirement to have all replacement boathouse facilities in place before any demolition work begins.

Section 106 contributions, which are provided by an applicant to reduce the impact of a scheme on a local area and make it more acceptable, have also been detailed.

Nottingham City Council has asked that £150,000 is provided to create a new pedestrian crossing on London Road and Cattle Market Road, and more than £1m is expected to be provided for bus service improvements.

Owing to the expected increase in the number of residents in the local area, £355,606 will be given towards improving primary school facilities, £330,564 for secondary, as well as £206,263 towards the improvement of sports pitches in West Bridgford.

Around £50,000 will be spent on upgrades to the footpath along Grantham Canal.

According to the documents, work could commence as early as next year, subject to permission being granted next week.