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The Cobblers saga has taken another dramatic twist as the company competing to purchase the land at Sixfields has upped its bid again.

NN Journal understands that Cilldara has now offered £3m for the land as well as a 10 year overage clause of 25 per cent to West Northamptonshire Council. 

The land behind the East Stand of the stadium is owned by the council and parts of it are leased by Northampton Town Football Club. The club owners have long wanted to purchase the land.

CDML, a subsidiary of Northampton Town Football Club, last week increased its offer to match that of Cilldara. 

The news that Cilldara has increased its offer further today comes just hours after the council’s press office released a statement saying the cabinet would make a decision on two bids of £2.05m on Tuesday. This followed a deferment last week.

A Conservative Party source said the cabinet should now put the whole process on hold while it looks at the deal more closely. 

“That valuation we received means nothing if we’re now getting offers of £3m,” they said.

NN Journal can also reveal that the father of assistant cabinet member for finance at WNC Sam Rumens, has links to Cilldara. 

When asked about this, Cllr Rumens told NN Journal he wasn’t sure what the link between his father and the company was but that as soon as he became aware of it he excused himself from all discussions and votes on the issue.

Deputy leader of the Labour party Emma Roberts said on Twitter there should be a review into the situation.

Emma Roberts 💙💛 @EmmaRobertsNN

@NNjournalism This is an absolute mess and needs a complete review urgently. The council shouldn’t be in a position of conducting business like this.

March 4th 2022

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Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Harris also tweeted about the situation this afternoon

Jonathan Harris Lib Dem Councillor 🔶🇺🇦 @jharrislibdem

This just gets worse by the day. What on earth is going on? @WNLibDems

NN Journal @NNjournalism

Cobblers deal latest: We’re hearing the bidding war between Cilldara and the the football club continues with Cilldara submitting a £3m offer to WNC today.

March 4th 2022

1 Retweet

NN Journal contacted West Northamptonshire Council at 1.30pm this afternoon asking for confirmation of the higher offer but at the time of going to press they were still unable to confirm it.