Following a meeting with the council's chief executive, Conservative MP for Northampton South, Brian Binley, challenged the council to help the club get a planning application together for the expansion of the site by spring.

He said: "I believe the way is open to make progress, provided that all concerned mean what they say and approach the matter in a positive manner, committed to progressing the future well-being of the town and the football club.

"It will also be important to recognise that the need to ensure the economic viability of any proposed retail development that might be acceptable is not restricted by over-stringent requirements which would make the project unviable."

The politician met the council chief after becoming increasingly frustrated at delays to the plans.

In a letter to the council's chief executive, David Kennedy, Mr Binley alleged no real progress had been made on the scheme.

He said: "The programme hasn't moved forward as we hoped, the concept of protecting and enhancing the town centre has become a more prominent factor to the detriment of development at Sixfields and the previous council's commitment to enabling retail seems to have diminished."

He added: "During those two-and-a-half years I have noticed a weakening of willingness by officials to consider the football club as an important factor in our local community consciousness and that lack of positive attitude has, to my mind, led to a sizeable degree of frustration."

Mr Binley's feelings were told to people at last night's Guildhall meeting, which he could not attend as he was taking part in a debate at the House of Commons.