'Epic' City Ground proposal as Nottingham Forest sent stadium message

Internal view of Matt Drewitt's design for Nottingham Forest's City Ground
Internal view of Matt Drewitt's design for Nottingham Forest's City Ground -Credit:Matt Drewitt


A proposed redevelopment of the City Ground has prompted debate among Nottingham Forest fans as the club considers relocating to a new site.

Nottingham-based architect Matt Drewitt has designed alternative plans for the Reds’ home. He says that knocking down the stadium and rebuilding with the pitch at a different angle would allow Forest to remain at their current location with an increased capacity.

In recent days, Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis and chairman Tom Cartledge have both spoken about the possibility of building a new ground elsewhere. A site in Toton, several miles from Nottingham city centre, has been identified as a potential option.

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Marinakis sees building a 50,000-seater stadium and a new training ground on the same complex as a way to “elevate the club to the next level”. He has said relocating to a bigger facility would “set the club on the right path”.

However, such a proposal has divided opinion among the fanbase. Some supporters can see the merits behind upping sticks and others feel passionately the other way.

Drewitt, who studied in the city and bounced his ideas off his Forest-supporting best friend, believes he has come up with a possible solution. He is keen for his creation not to be seen as stepping on anyone’s toes, but more as an alternative for what might be possible at Forest’s current location and a means of sparking debate. His proposal has certainly achieved the latter. Below is a look at what fans have been saying about Drewitt’s designs, which can be viewed in full, here.

Pops51: Looks brilliant, love it

Stevenotts01: Great idea love the initial plans

kieren: Good looking ground and add in the possibility of putting an underground car park in massively improves parking capacity and would gain extra revenue from there as well.

ford10hh: Two important points what is the estimated costs, second where will Forest play for the estimated two year build?

Jobsoworth2021: Epic. Get it built.

Redwazza: If we can stay where we are then not opposed to redeveloping site. Need to make sure some consultation happens with fans though so we get the stadium we all want.

reddogdaz: So where will they play there home games whilst this hideous change is being constructed?

Watermark: Looks awful but that's just my opinion. What's that roof???

GGGrumper: My main concern would relate to the increased amount of car parking space that would be needed. Also - where would all the other 'ventures' be sited?

Chaotic: Time to move on. Don't be held to ransom.

RedFaced: Looks brilliant. The 21st Century and beyond.

@YouAreMyForest: Looks hideous in my humble opinion.

@Hillereal: This is very interesting...an impressive idea for staying at the City Ground site, if it's possible, land and planning-wise...

@Neil_Bower: You couldn't do this. It would cast a shadow over the houses.

@DianneScatterg2: Horrible

@SteveNeale70: Exactly the idea i posted earlier, so clearly others thinking the same and this looks brilliant. Need to think outside the box. Love the pontoon idea, mine I've got the tram going over the Trent through to holme p. There's no need to move.

@funkstarphil: This is an idea I could get behind! Looks phenomenal at first glance, and ticks a number of boxes. Love the idea of pontoon access for boats in front of the ground, opening up potential water taxi ideas for enhanced access

@rtones: This seems like a sensible solution if it's possible, buy the freehold, bulldoze the existing ground and build a new one on the site

What do you make of the designs? Have your say in the comments below