Nottingham Forest say they have “solid grounds for optimism” that planning approval will soon be granted for the redevelopment of the City Ground.
The Reds first announced a multi-million pound project to rejuvenate the stadium in 2019, setting out their intention to transform their home into a world-class venue.
Last year, they submitted updated proposals to Rushcliffe Borough Council for a sustainable and environmentally friendly travel plan for visitors to the ground.
It was hoped that would be the final piece in the jigsaw for a full and final planning submission.
More than £2m has already been spent directly related to the plans, in a show of commitment from owner Evangelos Marinakis.
And the club say “further cost has been incurred” as they provided an update on the situation in a report attached to their latest set of accounts.
“Despite progress being severely hampered during covid, the club continued to plan for redevelopment of the Peter Taylor Stand,” Forest said, in the accounts for the period up to June 2021.
“Further cost has been incurred working with appointed advisors to prepare a solid and persuasive case for planners to approve the scheme.
“This has been a complex process because of the cross-jurisdictional nature of the City Ground site coupled with the fact that the development is taking place in a residential area with the challenges this brings in the planning process.
“The board maintains its view that the best option for the club and its supporters was to remain at and develop the City Ground site rather than to move to an out of town venue which would have posed few planning challenges.
“The formal planning application was submitted on the 17 November 2021 and the club retains solid grounds for optimism that the local planners will approve the application in the near future.”
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: “The club are working closely with us on outstanding items related to the application and we continue to actively engage with them on their aspirations to expand the stadium and accompanying developments.”
