Key hurdles club had to clear to get expansion date set

BOATHOUSE DEMOLITION AND FINANCE FOR FLATS AMONG ISSUES

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

THE setting of a date to discuss Nottingham Forest's ambitious City Ground expansion plans marks the clearing of another major hurdle in the project.

The Reds first unveiled their proposal to extend the ground back in 2019.

Key to Forest's vision for the City Ground is the demolition of the Peter Taylor Stand and a replacement which would increase its capacity from 5,000 to 10,000 seats. Next to the Peter Taylor Stand would be a residential apartment block with 169 units.

Although these plans were given conditional approval back in July 2022, a series of complex negotiations since have stalled progress. Yet with most issues now being resolved, Rushcliffe’s planning committee will again consider the plans on Thursday. Below are some of the key hurdles Forest have had to clear to get to this stage:

Currently in the way of Forest’s plans for a plaza between its new Peter Taylor Stand and its block of apartments is the historic Britannia Boathouse building. Getting that demolished will open up the area, allowing access from Trentside North into the planned plaza.

The Britannia Boathouse was built by what was once known as the Nottingham Britannia Club, before it merged with the Nottingham Boat Club in 2006 to form the current Nottingham Rowing Club. The three other rowing buildings along the riverside would remain.