NQ magazine has received answers to a schedule of questions about the stadium development at Sixfields after approaching The Cobblers and Northampton Borough Council with issues raised by fans.
NQ football writer Tom Reed who watches games among fans in the stands of the PTS Stadium is often asked for his insights about the club.
One matter in particular crops up a lot – progress on development of the notorious East Stand, the financing of which is at the heart of a civil case between the borough council and the Cardozas who used to own the club.
A ruling on that case is due on July 24 but one of the attractions of the Kelvin Thomas takeover of the club was that the East Stand development could move forward in the meantime.
Some seating has been installed to make more effective use of the space but according to Tom, fans feel they are in the dark about when to expect a completed stand to be in place.
He said: “I’m often asked if I have any idea what the hold up is so I thought we should put together a list of questions for the club and the council to pin down where things are at.”
Our questions to the club:
NQ: What is preventing the completion of the East Stand?
CLUB: We have attached the joint statement between Northampton Borough Council and the club which explains the current position.
NQ: Do you have immediate funds available to complete the East Stand?
CLUB: Yes
NQ: Do you have plans for development of wider land at Sixfields outside the immediate stadium footprint (pitch and stands). If so what are they?
CLUB: Yes and we are in positive discussions with Northampton Borough Council which is the land owner.
NQ: When will you present a time frame for completion of the East Stand and any other stadium works?
CLUB: As soon as the said discussions are complete.
Our questions to Northampton Borough Council and the leaders of the Labour and Tory groups on the council
Is there anything preventing NTFC completing the East Stand from the Council’s perspective?
Has NTFC indicated to you they have immediate funds available to complete the East Stand?
Has NTFC presented any scheme for development of wider land at Sixfields outside the immediate stadium footprint (pitch and stands). If so what are they?
Based on the information you have available, can you present a time frame for completion of the East Stand and any other stadium works or associated land work at Sixfields?
Northampton Borough Council has indicated that the joint statement from the club and council should be considered their response to the above questions. The statement is as follows:
Northampton Borough Council and Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC) have today jointly confirmed that positive discussions are continuing to be had on a range of topics including the development of the East Stand at the PTS Academy Stadium.
The Borough Council and NTFC are not able, at this stage, to provide detailed information or a time frame for these discussions to be completed but they have both confirmed the outcomes will be to everyone’s benefit including both supporters of the club and the wider public and be deliverable within a realistic time frame. Whilst discussions have included nearby land under the control of CDNL (County Development Northampton Limited) both parties are clear that the completion of the East Stand will come first.
Further information will be provided as and when possible, but this is a complicated and technical discussion with both the Borough Council and NTFC very anxious to avoid creating any further difficulties or delays, and it is now important to allow these discussions to complete to ensure a positive conclusion is reached.
[…] NQ questions prompt joint statement on stadium development at Sixfields […]