City MPs back Nottingham Forest stadium expansion

Nottingham's MPs have issued a joint statement backing plans for Nottingham Forest to expand the City Ground.

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, Nottingham North and Kimberley MP Alex Norris and Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood said the redevelopment provided a "historic opportunity" to boost the local economy.

In January, the Premier League side submitted plans to increase the capacity of the City Ground to about 52,500.

Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee is expected to review the plans during a meeting before the end of the year.

In their statement, the three Labour MPs said they all "support" the club in its application.

"This is a historic opportunity to celebrate and preserve our city's proud heritage as home to a world-famous club, while boosting our local economy and creating well-paid, unionised jobs," the letter said.

"The case for a bigger stadium has been clear for years - six consecutive seasons of sold-out games have meant that many thousands of local fans cannot see their team play on home turf, including a whole new generation of young supporters.

"Greater capacity will enable NFFC to host major international matches in future tournaments, strengthening our visitor economy by firmly putting Nottingham back on the map as a legendary football city."

Nottingham Forest have considered expanding the City Ground since 2019, but the project has only gained real traction since the club was promoted back to the Premier League in 2022.

Plans to expand the ground's capacity from about 30,000 to 35,000 by demolishing and rebuilding the existing Peter Taylor Stand were permitted in June 2025.

However, the club unveiled designs for a much bigger expansion six months later and plans were submitted to the council in January, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said

A transport plan, setting out how the club expects the stadium upgrade to impact local roads, was later issued in summer 2026.

The club said they hoped plans would be approved this month, however, a date is yet to be set.

A spokesperson for the borough council said the body is continuing to "work positively" with the club to organise when the plans can be reviewed.

Once a date has been agreed between the two parties, an extraordinary committee meeting will be set up to review the designs, they added.

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.