Forest hope to complete the move by 2014

On Wednesday, the club revealed its intention to move to a �45-55m purpose-built ground in Clifton.

People in Gotham say the stadium, along with a separate proposed development of 5,000 houses at Clifton Pastures, would spoil their village.

The club has said the ground would lead to new jobs and events.

It's hard work but we will go on fighting Pat Dines, Gotham Parish Council

Roy Green, who has lived in Gotham for 70 years, said: "It's not good news at all. We don't want to be joined on to Clifton.

"We had a meeting a couple of months ago and the village hall was packed solid, all protesting against these 5,000 houses, now they've put this on us as well ... so I think there's going to be more problems."

Pat Dines of Gotham Parish Council, added: "I'm absolutely appalled because we thought we were getting somewhere... suddenly we've got this now.

"We're fighting councils, developers ... it's hard work but we will go on fighting."

The League One club's chief executive Mark Arthur said the development would be an exciting opportunity but added that the club would be consulting residents over the next 18 months to find out what was best for the city.

The new stadium could be a venue for World Cup matches

"If we do get the green light to move over to the Clifton area then we would produce something which is iconic for Nottingham and something which is very special."

He added that the club would be able to put the new stadium forward as a possible location for World Cup matches, which would not be possible at City Ground.

"We would only go if the finances stack up... we've got a perfectly good ground here at the City Ground but one that is going to get tired and it's going to be very difficult to develop this to international standard, which is something we have all got half an eye on."

The new location is closer to the M1, but the move would probably be timed to coincide with the expansion of the nearby A453, which links the area to the motorway.

The cost of redeveloping the City Ground, which is owned by the city council, would be prohibitive, Mr Arthur added.

He said a possible new tram route for the Clifton area and the expansion of the nearby A453 made the move to the area very attractive.

City council chief executive Michael Frater, said: "I want planners to sit down with (the club) and see why the other eight sites were ruled out... but we really welcome the vision and the ambition that Mark Arthur and Forest are showing not just for the club but for the city as well."