Forest still hopeful over stadium

The county council said the new stadium would overwhelm the area

Nottingham Forest's chief executive has said he is hopeful about the city's bid for World Cup football despite two councils dropping out.

The city wants to be part of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup but has run into problems over a planned stadium.

The county council and Rushcliffe Borough Council have withdrawn support for the new venue in Gamston.

Chief Executive Mark Arthur said he was optimistic about the 45,000-seater stadium going ahead but not confident.

The stadium proposals would be dependent upon 4,000 new houses also being built on greenbelt land in the Gamston area.

Mr Arthur said: "I'm hopeful more than confident.

"I believe that the offering that we've got could be very good but it's subject to so many unknowns in the future.

"The political landscape will change over a period of time, even if the Conservatives do get in next year, they will have harsh realities to deal with and one of the issues will be where all the people are going to live in the future."

Rushcliffe Borough Council withdrew its support this week.

Its leader, Councillor Neil Clarke, said residents were "extremely anxious" after land next to Gamston was named as the only site for a new stadium.

The county council backed out of the plans in September, saying it would prefer to see the football club's existing City Ground extended.

Nottingham is bidding to become one of 12 host cities as England bids to stage the 2018 World Cup.

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