Nottingham Forest are set to be handed a 250 year lease on their City Ground Stadium, Nottinghamshire Live have reported.

The club have played their home games at the 30,455 capacity since 1898, and will now be there for some time yet, with Nottingham Council expected to grant the club a 250 year lease on the ground where the stadium is built.

As well as extending their stay, the lease will also increase the size of the area of land available to the club, allowing the club to carry out work on various parts of the ground in order to increase its capacity to 38,000.

It is also thought that will allow up to 240 new homes and a new hotel to be built on the site. The council is expected to cancel the current lease and replace it with a new one in order to allow for this to happen.

Speaking about the new deal, a council spokesperson said: "This new lease will include an enlarged area of management and will also result in Forest creating improved facilities for several rowing clubs as well as residential accommodation.

"The whole project will ensure the club remains on its historic site for many years, create a fit-for-purpose stadium that will be the largest in the East Midland and allow them to bring high profile sporting events to the city."

The lease should be approved at a meeting of Nottingham City Council's executive board on Tuesday.

The Verdict

This is a big boost for Forest.

The expansion of the ground should, in the long term, bring in fresh funds for the club, which can then be reinvested in strengthening the club in other aspects.

Revamping the stadium and increasing the number of fans able to come through the gates may also help in terms of attracting new signings, if it leads to the opportunity of playing in front of a more vociferous and passionate fan base.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.