Club unveils plans for new stand

Northampton Saints have announced plans for a new stand in a link-up with Asda.

The new North Stand would increase the capacity of Franklin's Gardens from its current 13,500 to nearly 17,000.

Asda is also applying for permission to build a food store, currently taken up by car park D, off Edgar Mobbs Way which is land leased by the club.

The North Stand plans are dependent on Asda receiving planning permission for the food store, said Saints chairman Keith Barwell.

The club has a long-term lease on the land earmarked for the Asda store, and all the money earned by Northampton Saints from the deal would be invested in the new stand and new car parking.

Jonathan Refoy, head of planning and property communications at ASDA, said up to 400 jobs could be created by the development.

Mr Barwell said: "We need all of our supporters and a good majority of the good folk of the town to buy into this.

"I must stress that these two planning applications are dependent on each other. Bluntly, the club cannot afford to build the new stand without Asda's help."