After months of speculation, an application to build Luton Town's new football stadium near Junction 12 has finally been lodged.

On Monday morning plans were submitted to build a 20,000-seater sports venue, as well a number of warehouses and additional sports facilities.

But the news has been met with dismay by campaigners in Harlington and Toddington, as well as Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries.

Landowner Cliff Bassett and developers Goodman International have said the development would give the club a huge boost, but critics have branded it "the wrong development in the wrong place".

More than 3,000 people living nearby have signed a petition calling for the bid to be rejected, which was presented last week in the Houses of Parliament.

The signatures were collected by the Campaign for Sustainable Harlington (CASH) and the Campaign for Sustainable Toddington (CAST), which have both vowed to fight "tooth and nail" against the plans.

After hearing that the application had been submitted, Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries said: "I intend to scrutinise the details of this application with a fine toothcomb and would encourage local residents to make sure their voice is heard and oppose this application also.

"In the next few weeks I will also be attending a public meeting organised by CAST and CASH, to galvanise local residents in the campaign against this proposal."