Before a significant renovation, Nottingham Forest’s owner intends to make personal changes at City Ground.

The owner of Nottingham Forest has personally requested that a modification be made to the

City Ground prior to any significant renovation. The Reds were purchased by billionaire

Evangellos Marinakis in 2017, and he has requested permission to alter the club’s

grounds in advance of a multi-million dollar redevelopment that will greatly expand its capacity.

According to recently submitted planning paperwork to Rushcliffe Borough Council,

the 57-year-old Greek shipping billionaire has asked for a new private elevator to be

erected in order to transport him to his viewing gallery.The owner’s viewing gallery

connection will only be temporary, according to planning representatives for Mr. Marinakis;

it will be replaced when the Peter Taylor Stand is refurbished as part of the

upcoming City Ground renovation.

IBA Planning, the architects, stated: “Planning permission will afford the owner the private

access to the owner’s lounge he has requested until the redevelopment of the Peter Taylor

Main Stand is underway.” In order to allow spectators to continue accessing the stadium

concourse underneath it, they stated that the new exterior lift shaft was “very modest” and

would only connect to the owner’s lounge at first floor level.

The club’s strategists clarified that the addition would be necessary,

specifically for the end of the 25/26 season. According to planning documents,

the present media suite would need to be relocated in order to make way for the private elevator,

which would be accessed from the concourse level.

The structure will be clad in red to fit in with the club’s colours, helping it fit in with the rest of

the stadium. Further arguing the club’s case, architects added: “Owing to the modest footprint

and design, the proposed development is considered to be in keeping with the immediate

built environment – and will not be prominent or visible from wider public vantage points

beyond the boundaries of the site.

“There is no increase in seating or capacity, and therefore no parking or highways implications.

” The Rushcliffe Borough Council is now deliberating over the planning proposal.

Many setbacks have beset the much anticipated redevelopment of the City Ground,

including a dispute over rental payments with Nottingham City Council and a subsequent

proposal to relocate from the stadium beside the River Trent.

The massive expansion, which would increase the ground’s capacity to 42,000,

has received planning permission, but the club is still resolving a few outstanding difficulties.

Following the previous rent dispute between the two sides, it struck an agreement in principle to

purchase the land from the city council, but it recently disclosed that it was thinking of

purchasing adjacent properties to expedite the construction.

Following a recent discussion with fans, talks are underway considering the relocation of

supporters in the event that the Peter Taylor Stand closes for renovation.

The club is also looking into ways to minimise any inconvenience and whether the bottom

level of seating may be operational prior to the stand’s completion.