Rushcliffe Borough Council is the latest stakeholder to have its say on the future of Nottingham Forest's City Ground.

The council, which has powers to either grant or deny planning permission to the club's expansion plans, has issued a statement following a day of no little confusion on Monday (July 9).

Forest issued their own statement on Monday evening, saying that discussions were ongoing, and that any deal was dependent on the club being able to progress with the redevelopment of the City Ground.

On Tuesday morning (July 9), Rushcliffe Borough Council leader, councillor Neil Clarke, said: "We will continue to work constructively with all partners. It is positive Nottingham Forest and the City Council are continuing discussions and like all commercial negotiations, details remain confidential until finalised.

"We granted Nottingham Forest planning permission for their latest planning application to extend ground capacity and associated development in 2022 and should any further plans come forward these will go through our usual independent planning process."

The new statement followed a somewhat chaotic Monday, which raised Forest fans hopes that the club would stay on the banks of the Trent - only for them to be tempered somewhat.

"Football is staying home, here in Nottingham, and the mist will keep rolling in off the Trent for years to come."

However, on Monday evening, Forest issued their own statement. It said: "After today's comments from the leader of the City Council, the Club wishes to clarify the situation for supporters and stakeholders regarding the freehold for The City Ground.

"For absolute clarity, we continue to work on the terms for a conditional deal for the purchase of the freehold. Any decision to purchase the freehold will be entirely conditional on Nottingham Forest first being granted the relevant permissions that will allow us to realise our hugely ambitious plans for a significantly larger stadium capacity, world-class hospitality spaces and associated substantial real estate development in the vicinity of the ground.

"Our discussions remain confidential and the Club will update fans when meaningful progress has been achieved."

Forest open their 2024/25 Premier League campaign at home against Bournemouth on August 17.

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