Upton Parish Council would like to update residents on the ongoing issue of match day parking around Sixfields Stadium and its impact on our residential streets.
Councillor Mark Watson recently attended the West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) Strategic Planning Committee meeting, where the committee considered the case officer’s report on the proposed development at the stadium. The report recommended approval, and after discussion, the committee voted in favour of accepting it.
During the meeting, Cllr Watson presented Upton Parish Council’s position. As with our response to the original application, the Council neither supported nor opposed the proposal, but asked that suitable mitigations be put in place—particularly regarding parking pressures experienced by residents on match days.
Much of the committee’s debate centred on parking provision. The majority ultimately accepted the case officer’s view that the two car parks on Edgar Mobbs Way—Claret and D—allocated for Northampton Town Football Club use provide sufficient capacity in theory. Cllr Watson raised concerns about the real‑world impact on Upton’s residential streets and stressed the need for practical measures.
After the meeting, Cllr Watson spoke further with several WNC councillors and the Committee Chair to reinforce the Parish Council’s request for clearer and more prominent signage directing drivers to official car parks. He was assured that this suggestion will be taken into consideration as part of ongoing discussions.
Representatives from Northampton Town Football Club, including the Chair, CEO, and Fans’ Representative, were also present. Cllr Watson engaged with them before and after the meeting and reports that they are open to continued dialogue. They expressed a willingness to support reasonable mitigation efforts that may help reduce parking pressure on nearby neighbourhoods.
The Parish Council will review the official meeting report once published and will continue to press for solutions that protect the quality of life for Upton residents while maintaining positive working relationships with WNC and the football club.
Further updates will be shared as this work progresses.
