Nottingham Forest are pleased to announce new plans for the further redevelopment of the club’s training facilities at Wilford Lane. Central to the plans are a new two-storey building and enhanced facilities at The Nigel Doughty Academy. The new academy building will include fourteen changing rooms, three classrooms, gym, physio room, analysis suite, guest parents’ lounge and canteen facilities, plus additional on-site car parking.
The latest plans are in line with the club’s ongoing investment in the facilities at Wilford Lane which earlier this season saw the enhancement of the show pitch to include a new playing surface and goals, LED floodlights, perimeter fence and dug outs to meet the club’s conditional Category One Academy licence obligations. The plans will be submitted via the formal planning process with Rushcliffe Borough Council, with a decision expected in the New Year.
Commenting on the plans, Nottingham Forest Chairman, Nicholas Randall, QC, said: “This is another important milestone in enhancing the infrastructure of the club by Mr Marinakis, in line with our long-term aspirations. “In addition to his continued investment in the playing staff, we are very grateful for the owner’s continued generosity and his vision for how he wants the football club to evolve.
“We undertook a strategic review of the options for developing our training facilities, including assessing other potential locations. We have concluded that Wilford Lane, which has been our home for over 20 years, provides the ideal footprint for us to improve and further integrate our first team and academy operations. This integration is essential to the culture and philosophy we are seeking to develop at the club. “Everything we do as a club is geared towards continually improving standards to provide the best possible environment for us to progress and this latest investment by Mr Marinakis is another example of that. “We are proud of the club’s long history in developing players through the academy to the first team and, as evidenced by this investment, it remains integral to the footballing strategy of the club.”
THE PETER TAYLOR STAND UPDATE
The club is also pleased to update supporters on latest developments on the plans for the new Peter Taylor Stand.
The club has recently submitted updated proposals to Rushcliffe Borough Council for a sustainable and environmentally friendly travel plan for visitors to The City Ground, including cycle, foot, bus, and traffic initiatives.
Chairman, Nicholas Randall, QC, said: “As we anticipated from the outset, the new stand has been a complex project. The location of The City Ground is one of the many features of our home that makes it unique and so loved by our supporters, but it also provides logistical challenges which have required careful consideration working in partnership with the local councils and the community.
“Like all our supporters, we are keen to conclude the planning process as soon as we can as we are excited about the transformational impact this will have on our supporter matchday experience. We hope these updated sustainable plans will pave the way for a full and final planning submission in the new year. We will continue to keep supporters updated on progress on this important project.”