Nottinghamshire County Council is scheduled to examine the possible location of Nottingham Forest’s new stadium the following week.
In the event that the Reds choose to leave the City Ground, Nottinghamshire County Council has previously stated that it would be “more than happy” to “explore options” for a new stadium with the team.
Keith Girling, the cabinet member for economic development of the county council, suggested land near Toton as a potential replacement for the City Ground, telling the BBC that “we’d be more than happy to explore options with Forest, as with any business or developer.”
“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
“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.”
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.
