The Supporters Trust has been successful in renewing its application for Sixfields Stadium and the stadium’s West Stand car park to be classed as an Asset of Community Value. The ACV status will be protected until 2029.
The land behind the East Stand - previously known as the running track land - no longer has this protection as West Northamptonshire Council determined that this section of land has not recently been in community use.
It means that the running trackl land - sold to Northampton Town FC by the council last April - could in time be developed in a way which does not benefit the football club or its communities.
The only challenge to the nature of the development on that land will now be through the council’s planning processes.
We are reassured that club chairman Kelvin Thomas, speaking on the Cobblers Show last month, said that the club was looking to develop the land themselves.
Mr Thomas remained vague about about the nature of the development but indicated that a planning application for the construction of a warehouse on that land was probable.
The club has previously filed indicative plans for a warehouse of 137,750 square feet on the running track land and the site has been cleared and levelled.
This is more than four times the size of the Cleveland Cable Company warehouse on the old south stand car park which has been reported as covering 34,000 square feet.
It is not clear which party, or parties, are going to benefit from the sale/development of this land, be that through investment in the club or the repayment of debt.
We hope that any future development plans will result in ongoing investment in the football club, commensurate with an ambitious, progressive and sustainable club keen on securing its League One status and building for better.
