Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust has submitted an application to protect the land the City Ground is built on from being sold.
The group has sent an application to Rushcliffe Borough Council to register the land as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV).
There is no suggestion any sale is planned – but the trust says it wants to protect the ground’s future for many years to come.
Achieving ACV status – under the Localism Act 2011 – will be taken into consideration should any prospective planning applications, to transform the site, ever be submitted in future.
This will help to safeguard the land.
The City Ground is part of the Reds’ assets, although the land itself is owned by Nottingham City Council.
Newcastle United St James’ Park, Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park and Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadiums all have ACV status.
Nottingham City Council leader, Jon Collins, has pledged his support against the land ever being sold.
Cllr Collins said: “Nottingham Forest is part of this city’s rich heritage and a vital part of our community.
“Not only are we delighted to support the City Ground being submitted to the Asset of Community Value register, but we would also add our commitment that the land upon which this iconic stadium is built will never be sold without the active and overwhelming support of the fans.”
Elliot Stanley, a member of the trust, said ACV status is a “key safeguarding measure for the future of our football club”.
A decision from Rushcliffe Borough Council is expected in the next six weeks.
