City Ground’s expansion is still the plan but changes are taking place in the planning documents. The new facade is different but main alterations cover the residential building behind the stadium.

In late May Nottingham Forest made substantial changes in their planning application for the expansion of City Ground. There are several alterations within the stadium itself, however none of them change the capacity goal (up to 38,000 after expansion) or even the volume of the proposed new south stand.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest

The most noticeable change is new outer cladding. The scale and massing has not changed, however the architectural detailing on this elevation has been updated to reduce the size of the diagonal band and continue the appearance further into the elevation to provide additional visual interest to this elevation. The elevation also now features changes in cladding to provide additional ‘breaks’ to the elevation. the club wrote in its letter explaining the modifications.

Further change concerns Nottingham’s shop. NFFC recognises that their existing shop is an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and has always been committed to ensuring its re-provision following its demolition to make way for the residential development. The revised proposals are now clear in identifying a new club shop at ground and first floor level within the corner building of the new stand. Given the ACV status, the NFFC would be content to ensure the new club shop is delivered by condition and we would be happy to liaise on the appropriate wording and timing of such in due course. the statement reads.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest

However, the largest alteration covers the residential building planned along with the south stand expansion. Initially, there was a plan to deliver two buildings, last year changed to a single but still major block. Now its size has been reduced and the total number of homes would fall from 248 to just 169.

All of the changes come as a result of ongoing dialogue with planning officers.

In a statement, Nottingham Forest said: We will continue to work with our specialist advisers and in partnership with the local councils to move this important application through the planning process.

We hope to be able to update supporters on the outcome of the application in late summer.

Author: MK

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest