At a Northampton Borough Council Cabinet meeting last Wednesday (13 June), members confirmed arrangements to regularise a lease on land at the PTS Academy Stadium.
The land forms part of the former athletics track to the east of the football stadium and will provide a clean site, allowing the redevelopment of Northampton Town Football Club’s East Stand.
Cllr Tim Hadland, Cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “We’re pleased to have cleared this element of the work so that the stand redevelopment can now proceed.
“The football club is part of the town’s essence and we have always been keen to see it succeed and thrive. We will now work with the club to ensure the formalities are dealt with as quickly as possible.”
Kelvin Thomas, Chairman of the club said: “As has been well documented this has been a long process, but we are very pleased to be so close to a resolution.
“We appreciated the Cabinet paper released last week which acknowledged that this problem existed and confirmed that CDNL was only ever trying to release control of a portion of land to the benefit of the football club.
“The positive Cabinet decision on Wednesday then gave permission for the Council to move ahead to regularise these incorrect leases and we will work with the Council closely to complete the legal formalities in a timely manner.
“We also appreciate Cllr Tim Hadland’s comments and the club looks forward to working together with NBC in a positive manner on both the stadium site, and in other areas of the club.”