Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club want a second permanent scoreboard and replay screen up and running at Trent Bridge in time for their Ashes Test of 2013.

The green and golds have submitted a planning application to Rushcliffe Borough Council for the project, which is expected to cost in the region of £1.5 million.

The club expect to hear if planning permission has been granted by the date of their annual general meeting on February 27.

If they get the green light, building work will take place next winter before the Aussies arrive the following summer.

Once completed, it would also allow the club to focus on plans to develop the William Clarke Stand.

The new scoreboard would replace the existing one between the Radcliffe Road and Fox Road stands, which was erected in 1974.

It would be wider but slightly shorter than the state-of-the-art scoreboard and electronic replay screen, completed in 2008, which is next to the pavilion.

As well as boosting their chances of landing future Test matches, Notts believe the new addition would assist in their bid to remain fan friendly.

In 2011, Trent Bridge finished top of the pile in a survey by Kantar to find the English ground which offered the best spectator experience for the second year running.

"The plans for the new scoreboard are very similar to the one next to the pavilion and we want it to be of a similar high quality," said Notts' chief executive Derek Brewer.

"We want it to enhance the enjoyment of spectators, just as the first new scoreboard we put up has done."

On the ground floor of the structure would be a new base for head groundsman Steve Birks and on the first floor, an additional hospitality suite.

The club is still considering funding options for the investment.

Mr Brewer said: "The space is limited here at Trent Bridge so we have make use of every square foot.

"This is the next logical step for the ground development.

"It's no secret that we want to develop the William Clarke Stand, but we currently have to erect a temporary scoreboard and replay screen behind it for international matches.

"Once we have two permanent replay screens, we can start looking at the William Clarke stand.

"We are already looking at what would go into building that new stand because it's important we remain ambitious to develop our facilities."

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