Luton Borough Council’s development control committee has ruled that plans for the Newlands Park project should be approved, paving the way for a new stadium for League One football club Luton Town.
The Newlands Park project will help pay for Luton’s state-of-the-art stadium, which will have a capacity of up to 23,000. The project, which was backed by councillors yesterday (Monday) evening, will also include leisure facilities and shops.
The club, which currently sits top of League One, was granted planning permission to build a new stadium on the Power Court site in January.
In December 2016, the club’s 2020 Developments (Luton) property arm agreed a deal with British Land PLC to acquire its freehold interests in Power Court, the site of a former power station in the centre of the town. The council has since analysed the applications and January’s approval marked a major breakthrough for the plans.
The developments are expected to bring in the region of 10,000 jobs to Luton and a £250m (€290m/$326m) boost to the local economy.
The stadium site is also set to feature new public spaces and facilities, including a 1,800-capacity live events venue, bars, restaurants, a hotel and 550 apartments.
Luton said it would find out in due course whether the Secretary of State will call in the project or if it has to go to a judicial review.
The club has played at the 10,300-seat Kenilworth Road stadium since 1905.
Image: 2020 Developments
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