Nottingham Forest told site for new stadium would ‘far surpass’ City Ground as meeting date set

Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Toton is suggested as an alternative stadium site to the City Ground

A potential new stadium site for Nottingham Forest is set to be discussed by Nottinghamshire County Council next week.

Nottinghamshire County Council has already confirmed it would be “more than happy” to “explore options” for a new stadium with the Reds if the club decides to leave the City Ground.

Suggesting land near Toton as an alternative to the City Ground, Keith Girling, the county council’s cabinet member for economic development, told the BBC: “We’d be more than happy to explore options with Forest, as with any business or developer.

READ MORE: Forest notebook featuring Moder challenge verdict and ‘risky’ transfer

READ MORE: What angry Nuno said after defeat sums up challenge ahead

“We recognise the value of them to the local economy. Hypothetically, if that land at Toton is suitable, of course we’d be interested.”

A motion on it is now set to be discussed at a Nottinghamshire County Council meeting.

Ashfield Independent councillor David Martin proposed the motion, and he told the BBC: “It’s clear that as a county council we need to reach out to the club who are an economic powerhouse for our county.

“Toton already has the infrastructure including a tram stop and railway station.

“Any new stadium at Toton will far surpass the current capacity of the City Ground.

“If Nottinghamshire County Council were serious about helping the club expand – then exploring options at this stage is eminently sensible and would only be a last resort.”

Forest chairman Tom Cartledge has said the club is prepared to consider relocating to a new stadium rather than redeveloping the City Ground as talks with Nottingham City Council over rent stalled. Those talks between Forest and the council are said to have stalled over the council wanting to increase rent to £1m from £250,000.

Cartledge previously told the BBC : “We find ourselves in a position where for the first time we’re having to consider whether the future is going to be away from the City Ground

“In the future, football clubs’ wage bills are going to be very heavily linked to revenue.

“If we can’t grow the revenue, there is a realistic chance we cannot achieve our objectives and grow the playing side and give the manager the resources he needs.

“Unless we start to see some significant progress, it is now having to be a realistic discussion point as to look elsewhere.

“I’m frustrated, the owner is frustrated, because what he wants to do is give back what he promised the people of Forest, which is growth on and off the field and not to be able to do that is tough.”