Plans for the redevelopment of the Sixfields stadium in Northampton are set to move forward after the local authority agreed to work with Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC) to deliver the scheme.

Northampton Borough Council (NBC) has now backed the project and has entered into a development agreement with the club and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to provide a new 15,000-seat venue. The proposed development will include building on the site of an existing athletics track, although a deal has already been reached that will see Rugby and Northampton Athletics Club relocate to new facilities designed to meet UK Athletics' competition standards.

NTFC now expects to finalise the development agreement with all parties, including a development partner, within the next month before a planning application can be submitted to NBC in the autumn. David Cardoza, NTFC chair, said: "While the club is, organisationally and from a community point of view, in much better shape than when we arrived, both on the field and with the re-development we are in many ways now, back to square one and where we were when I arrived at the club.

"This season could and should be the start of sustained progress both on and off the field. We now have the basis of an agreement with and a commitment from Northampton Borough Council and our development partners and we know what needs doing."