Premier League club get green light for £790million stadium expansion taking capacity over 50,000

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have been given the green light for a staggering £790MILLION redevelopment of the City Ground. The ambitious project would increase the capacity of Forest’s historic home from 31,000 to around 52,500. The Stadium is set for a huge expansion Credit: Getty Owner Evangelos Marinakis is continuing his ambitious plans Credit: SOPA Images Full planning permission has been granted for Forest to demolish and replace the Peter Taylor Stand and redevelop the Trent End. That first phase would take the capacity to around 45,000. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Forest have also received outline permission to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand, adding another 7,500 seats. The huge makeover will also feature a new public plaza and restaurant alongside upgraded conferencing and media facilities. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is looking to continue to transform the two-time European champions. A Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust spokesperson said: “On behalf of Forest supporters everywhere, we are delighted that our historic home has taken this major step to beginning its generational next chapter. “We want to thank the club, our members, council officers and Rushcliffe Borough Planning Committee for their hard work getting us this far. It is a huge moment.” East Midlands mayor Claire Ward believes the development could have an impact far beyond just Forest, saying: “I see the expansion of the City Ground as the catalyst for what we could do across the Trent sports district.” Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Nottingham Forest have imagined what the stadium will look like after redevelopment Credit: BBC The plan will see capacity rise to 52,500 once complete Credit: BBC The club will contribute more than £4m towards public transport and other infrastructure improvements in Nottingham. Demolition work cannot begin until a new matchday crowd-flow plan has been agreed, with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Trent among the possibilities. Comment now