Long lease intended to unlock investment for community sports facility
West Northamptonshire Council has agreed a new 25-year lease for Daventry Town Football Club’s ground at Browns Road, a decision designed to allow the club to pursue external funding for a third-generation (3G) artificial pitch. The move was confirmed by cabinet members at a meeting on Wednesday 16 July.
The club’s previous lease ran until 2038. Daventry Town FC asked the council for a longer term because many funding providers insist on leases of at least 21 or 25 years before they will consider major grants or loans. The estimated cost of the proposed 3G surface is around £600,000.
Conditions and council reasoning
The council said it would not normally renegotiate a lease so far ahead of the current expiry date, but accepted the surrender of the existing agreement because of the potential benefits to the wider community. The new tenancy is conditional: it will only take effect once the club has obtained any necessary planning permission and completed the installation of the artificial pitch.
"West Northamptonshire Council actively promotes health and wellbeing, and this initiative will support the development of the local sporting provision for the benefit of local residents in Daventry,"
The council’s cabinet member for finance and resources emphasised the health and wellbeing rationale behind the decision. The cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure highlighted the club’s role in youth sport and said the upgraded surface would help support more young players.
Local implications
- Daventry Town FC will be able to approach funders who require long-term security before committing capital.
- Installation of a 3G pitch could increase capacity for training and matches, particularly for junior teams.
- The lease and any pitch installation remain subject to planning approval and successful delivery.
The council currently receives an annual rent of £5,200 for the Browns Road site. By granting the new long-term lease, councillors aim to balance the borough’s stewardship of public land with the prospect of improved sporting facilities that could benefit local residents for decades.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lease length | 25 years |
| Site | Browns Road, Daventry |
| Estimated project cost | £600,000 |
| Current annual rent | £5,200 |
Council leaders said they will continue to work with the football club in the coming months to finalise the lease arrangements and to support preparations for any funding bids and planning submissions.
