In the autumn of 2007, four councils (Northampton Borough Council, South Northants Council, Daventry District Council and Northamptonshire County Council) commissioned an Issues and Options Consultation for the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy.

The results of this consultation are now available. These documents are dated May 2008, and the Football Club have discovered these are now available for public view on the internet. We cannot explain the lateness of publication of these reports and why the fact that they are available on the internet has not been publicised more widely.

1363 responses to the consultation were received. More than half of all who responded (52%) considered that the development and enhancement of the Sixfields area, and in particular support for the improvements for Northampton Town Football Club should be a priority for the joint core strategy. 81% of these felt that this was the number one priority and of the 505 respondents who indicated a ranking, 93% considered it to be a top priority, this despite it not even being on the list of options to select from!

The top 5 priorities for the Joint Core Strategy, according to the people of Northampton are;
1) Regeneration of Sixfields and an enhanced community stadium
2) Regeneration and enhancement of town centres
3) Reducing crime
4) Health care services
5) Green space and sports pitches

The issues and Options Consultation for the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy was designed to seek the views and opinions of the public. The figures are clear and the public's support for the Football Club's plans is clear and obvious. The Borough Council have been spoken to by the public, are they listening or was this exercise irrelevant and a waste of time?

The report can be viewed here.

The Councils are now asking again for any other comments. People wishing to make any other comments can now do so. So, if you missed your chance to contribute, you can do so now here.