Forest's redevelopment plans are about 'more than football'
Plans are expected to be handed to Rushcliffe Borough Council today
We've been speaking with East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, as Nottingham Forest are expected to submit fresh redevelopment plans to Rushcliffe Borough Council today.
The plans include expanding the current ground to fit a capacity of more than 50,000 spectators.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands said she is fully behind the redevelopment: "It is an ambitious project. but that is exactly what we need.
"I see this not just as an opportunity for the expansion of the City Ground and for better facilities and more seats for the fans, but I see this as the centrepiece of an opportunity to develop a Trent Sports Quarter.
"This will be a driver for major regional benefits across the East Midlands," she said.
A Trent Sports Quarter...
Claire Ward told us that the region welcomes around 77 million visitors a year, with only 10% staying overnight.
She hopes building a sports quarter in Nottingham will change that: "This larger, modernised stadium can be used not just for matchdays but other major sporting events as well.
"We can convert some of those visits into overnight stays. They will spend money in our restaurants, in our hotels and shops.
"It will boost our visitor economy, not just in Nottingham but the whole of the East Midlands," she said.
'International fixtures'
The City Ground has been announced as one of the host venues in the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup.
Claire Ward said she hoped the redevelopments would be approved and completed by then:
"Wouldn't it be fantastic if we had a renewed and regenerated ground to host international fixtures like that," she said.
Plans are expected to be submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council today for them to look over.