Developer given permission for judicial review over failed football stadium land bid

Developer Cilldara Group Holdings has been given permission by the High Court to apply for a judicial review, after its bid for land next to Northampton Town's stadium was rejected by West Northamptonshire Council.

The legal action will delay the work to complete a half-built stand at the football club's Sixfields stadium.

Last year, the council approved a deal for £2m from County Developments Northampton Ltd (CDNL), a company owned by the football club’s owners, to buy the land behind the stand.

This was despite an offer of £3m for the same land from Cilldara Group Holdings.

Officers recommended the CDNL bid to the council on the basis that work on the ground's East Stand would more likely be completed, which has remained half-built for eight years.

The football club have expressed their frustration over the legal action, noting that it “certainly delays progress on the East Stand” due to the uncertainty of ownership of the land.

However, it notes that the situation is “not within the club’s control” and is a “matter of process between the council and the claimant.”

Speaking to the BBC, James O'Brien, a spokesperson for Cilldara, said the company was "always confident" of being granted permission for the judicial review application, as it had "a cast-iron case".

Cllr Malcolm Longley, West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We have been informed that the judicial review has been granted leave to proceed. This does not mean the JR has been successful, but it does mean that the case can now go forward to a hearing. Given the complexity of this issue, we’re not surprised by the judge’s decision.

“During the court’s deliberation process, we received a bid from the Northampton Town Football Club Supporters Trust for a parcel of land in the area, including the asset of community value, and we are currently awaiting further information which would allow us to give that full consideration.”