Major revamp of city sports ground approved

An artist's impression shows how the existing pavilion will be extended upwards

Plans for a major revamp of sports facilities at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham have been given the go-ahead.

Nottingham City Council is part of a £2.6m project to transform pitches and buildings it runs in partnership with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

Under the proposals, approved by planning officials on Monday, the Forest Pavilion community building will be extended upwards and upgraded surfaces will be laid on the all-weather playing surfaces.

The facilities at the park in Mansfield Road are used by about 2,500 people per week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

The development of the Forest Sports Zone complex will also include replacement floodlights and fencing to improve security, the council said.

A new ramp between the two pitches would improve access, officials added.

A range of organisations have pledged to help fund the scheme

Planning documents state new floodlights would reduce the amount of light that spills out into the wider area, reducing its impact on nearby wildlife.

The sports zone has been run by the trust for several years to provide a community focus point for sport, particularly football, the LDRS said.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust has pledged £300,000 in funding for the project.

The LDRS previous reported Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will also commit £500,000 alongside almost £1.8m in additional funding from the Football Foundation, which is subject to confirmation following a request.

A further £260,000 will be put towards the project through a pot of money set aside by the council as part of a condition and contractual obligation of the Sport England grant for the sports zone and pitch.