December 21 – Opponents of Nottingham’s new 45,000-capacity stadium earmarked to host World Cup matches if England’s bid to host stage the 2018 World Cup is successful have promised that they will not stop their campaign.
The proposed stadium in Gamston, which would be the new home of two-time European champions Nottingham Forest and the national centre for women’s football in England, would also involve 4,500 homes being built nearby.
But protesters say the development would lead to the loss of green belt land and harm their quality of life and the fact that the Football Association last week Nottingham as one of 17 stadiums in 12 cities to be part of the England bid would not halt their opposition.
The decision to include Nottingham has also been fiercely criticised by Derby and Leicester, rival East Midlands cities who were two of only three bidding cities not to be put forward to be included in the England 2018 plans.
They have both claimed Nottingham’s inclusion is high-risk because of the potential problems surrounding the stadium.
They are supported by critics in Nottingham.
Simon Robinson, chairman of the Rushcliffe Greenfields campaign group, said: “We are very disappointed in the FA in that they described Nottingham’s bid as low risk when currently it does not have planning permission or funding in place to execute the stadium and houses.
“We are absolutely determined to ensure that the residents’ voices are heard and that we do stop the stadium and housing development.”
Robinson said a petition with 3,000 signatures was submitted to the FA before the bid deadline last month and 4,500 leaflets have been delivered to homes across the Borough.
He said: ”Now we will put pressure on Rushcliffe Borough Council to ensure the planning process is rejected on the grounds that it’s not a sustainable or environmentally friendly project.”
Holme Pierrepont and Gamston Parish Council have also been campaigning against the plans and sent a petition with 2,500 signatures to Lord Triesman, the chairman of England’s bid, before the bid deadline.
Chairman Diane Kidger said: “We welcome that Nottingham has been shortlisted but are disappointed about the choice of site for the stadium.
“The petition is still ongoing and we are going to present it to Rushcliffe Borough Council.
“As a Parish Council we need to meet and decide our strategy.”
Related stories
December 2009: Sheffield United and Everton angry over World Cup axe
December 2009: AFC Wimbledon angry at Milton Keynes inclusion in World Cup bid
December 2009: England choose host cities for 2018 World Cup bid