Nottingham Forest stadium expansion receives new boost as demolition works given green light

Nottingham Forest’s ambitious City Ground redevelopment has taken another step forward after the club received approval to begin demolition works on nearby properties as part of the early stages of the project.

The demolition of five residential buildings near the stadium will allow utility, infrastructure and site preparation work to begin ahead of the main construction programmee.

Enabling works begin ahead of major City Ground redevelopment

Rushcliffe Borough Council has confirmed that prior planning approval is not required for Nottingham Forest to demolish five properties located on Rosebery Avenue and Colwick Road in West Bridgford.

The work will involve removing buildings, associated outbuildings, boundary treatments and some trees or vegetation, with all properties already owned by the club and described as vacant within the application.

Planning consultants Savills, acting on behalf of Forest, said the early demolition would help prepare the site and allow important infrastructure work to take place before construction begins on the wider redevelopment.

The demolition programme is expected to last around 12 weeks and was previously scheduled to begin on September 1, 2026.

However, the latest approval only relates to the removal of the existing properties and does not provide permission for the full City Ground redevelopment.

Nottingham Forest’s separate full and outline planning applications remain under consideration by Rushcliffe Borough Council, meaning further approvals are still required before the wider stadium expansion can move ahead.

The proposed redevelopment aims to significantly modernise the City Ground, improving facilities for supporters and creating a long-term future for the historic stadium.

FGG says: A small step but an important one for Forest

While the demolition approval may appear minor compared to the scale of the overall redevelopment, it represents another positive sign that Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited stadium plans are moving closer to reality.

There is still a long way to go before construction begins on the main project, but clearing surrounding properties is an important part of preparing the site for what could become a significant stadium redevelopment for English football.