Decision details

1.      Cabinet approved the principle of this Council entering into agreements with one or more of the following organisations

                                i.            Northampton Rugby Football Club Limited

                              ii.            Northampton Town Football Club Limited

                            iii.            a properly incorporated charitable foundation to support the promotion of football in the local community (in memory of Richard Butcher) –to grant leases, for terms in excess of 21 years, of land located off Eagle Drive, Delapre situated within the areas shown edged upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report.  Such agreements to limit the use of the land to that of sports pitches and ancillary facilities only and otherwise to be on terms to be approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning.

2.  Cabinet authorised, in pursuance of 2.1, the advertisement as necessary of the proposed disposal of public open space in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, in respect of the land edged red on the plan at Appendix 1 of the report.

3.            Cabinet supported the principle of the grant of a lease at below full market value to a properly constituted charitable organisation arising from the Richard Butcher memorial campaign, on the basis that the primary use of any land concerned would be connected with the ongoing provision of non-profit making, sporting opportunities for young people in Northampton. The specific terms and conditions of such a lease to be approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning.

4.         That Cabinet recognises the well established nature of the equestrian related uses of some land and buildings  at Eagle Drive and request that officers continue to work with the Licensees of the land edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix1, ti identify potential options that could support continuing equestrian activity if one or more leases of the land were to be granted.