The large-scale redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground has officially been approved. Under the plan, the existing Peter Taylor Stand will be demolished and replaced with a new 10,000-seat structure, increasing the stadium’s total capacity to 35,000.

Approval after years of setbacks

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously granted full planning permission. The decision comes with a number of conditions. In a statement, Nottingham Forest expressed its great satisfaction with the outcome and pledged close collaboration with its partners throughout the next phases of the project.

Expansion plans were first announced in 2019, with initial permission granted in 2022. Since then, however, the project has faced numerous technical and procedural complications. The initial cost estimate of £94 million has risen to £130 million as of January 2025. Nevertheless, according to a recent investment report, the project is expected to generate an additional £13 million annually for the local economy and create hundreds of jobs.

More than just a stadium

Under the terms of a Section 106 agreement, the club will contribute to local infrastructure development. This includes more than £1 million to improve local bus services, £150,000 for upgrading the A60/Cattle Market Road junction, and £200,000 for cycling infrastructure improvements on the Lady Bay Bridge. Another condition is an agreement with Nottingham Rowing Club regarding the replacement of their Britannia boathouse, which must be demolished as part of the works. A new facility must be ready before demolition begins, although its location has not yet been confirmed. Forest has also received outline planning permission to build up to 170 residential units adjacent to the stadium. However, this part of the project is subject to separate review, as it was decoupled from the main stand redevelopment to allow independent evaluation.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest | Project from 2021

What’s next?

The planning approval paves the way for the club to purchase the freehold of the stadium site. Last year, the former club chairman raised the possibility of relocating due to a rent dispute with the city. The local authority has now agreed to sell the land, but the club stated that the purchase will only go ahead if full planning permission for redevelopment is secured.

No construction start of City Ground date has been announced, but under current regulations, works must begin within three years of final approval. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis has previously stated his long-term ambition to increase the stadium’s capacity to 50,000.

Success despite objections

The planning process did attract some opposition, particularly from local councillors and residents. Concerns were raised about matchday traffic and limited parking. Councillor Penny Gowland noted: On Wednesdays when Forest plays, the whole area just comes to a standstill. Bus services collapse, and journeys take twice as long. People in wheelchairs can’t even leave their homes. Despite this, the council received 2,538 letters of support for the project and 116 letters of objection.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest | Project from 2019