Nottingham Forest fans' plea over stadium expansion

A Nottingham Forest supporters' group has written an open letter asking councillors to back expansion plans for its stadium, saying "it is the City Ground's time".

Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to consider applications from the club on proposed changes to the ground.

In June last year, the committee granted full planning permission to increase its overall capacity to 35,000, followed in January by the club submitting another set of applications to take the capacity to more than 50,000.

The Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust (NFST) urged the authority not to let concerns over transport and supporter movement on matchdays further delay the project.

The applications consist of a bid for full planning permission to redevelop the Peter Taylor Stand and Trent End, as well as for "demolition of existing buildings/structures", and outline planning permission to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand.

Rushcliffe's planning officers have recommended councillors on the committee approve the applications, subject to conditions.

It comes days after MPs in Nottingham issued a joint statement backing development of the stadium.

The trust's letter to the committee calls Wednesday's vote a "historic opportunity for our region", adding the message was "clear and overwhelming" from fans in their support of the proposals.

Asif Naidu, NFST chair, said: "Wednesday is a historic opportunity to secure the future of our historic home. We simply have to grasp it.

"The case for approval is incredibly strong. It has clear and widespread support across the region, the club has outgrown the current ground and it is a golden and rare investment opportunity.

"Any concerns over transport and supporter flow, while understandable, can be resolved and are manageable, so they shouldn't be a barrier to giving the project the go-ahead.

"It is the City Ground's time. Let's make history on Wednesday."

A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: "As with all planning applications that require consideration by the committee, planning officers present a report containing their recommendation.

"Debate among the committee members will then take place and a vote taken on the application's outcome."

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