Cobblers land deal step closer

A proposed deal will be presented to a full council meeting next month

By Natalie Bloomer

A deal between West Northants Council (WNC) and Northampton Town Football Club over the development of land next to the Sixfields stadium is a step closer, NN Journal understands.

Sources say council members attended a briefing on the proposed deal last night and were told it would be presented to a full council meeting in December.

The Cobblers have long wanted to develop the land but as WNC owns the freehold to it, they have to reach an agreement with them before being able to do so. 

Negotiations have dragged on for a number of years with Northampton Borough Council (which has now been replaced by WNC) insisting that a condition of the deal be that the football club has to complete work on the East Stand.

Work on the East Stand came to a halt seven years ago as the club was plunged into crisis amid the scandal of the missing £10.25m loan from the borough council and subsequent police investigation.

The Cobblers supporters’ trust initially backed the club’s proposals fo…