Fire ravaged ex-Labour headquarters in Upper George Street to be redeveloped

The derelict building was badly damaged during the fire in December last year and had to be demolished.

Over 40 firefighters using six fire engines and two aerial platforms were required to prevent flames spreading to adjacent premises, which police evacuated.

Planning permission was given to turn the quarter-of-an-acre plot into housing in July 2018.

But the scheme was resubmitted to the borough council’s development control committee for minor changes to one of the conditions.

Applicant Nabeel Khalid, of Uplift Capital Limited, plans to build 46 one- and two-bedroom flats, with two shops on the ground floor.

The proposed alterations were to “the scale, internal layout, design and housing mix”, according to a report to councillors.

“The application site is an irregular shaped plot, which is currently empty because the two-storey building was demolished after a fire,” said the report.

“The front part is located within a terrace of 12 properties, built around the same time, which provides Upper George Street with a reminder of the style of architecture in the town centre at the turn of the 20th Century.

“This area has been conferred conservation area status,” added the report.

“The site is located within the main Luton shopping area and has commercial uses on either side at 27 and 29 Upper George Street.”

The original plans were for 33 one-bedroom and 13 two-bed flats, but the housing mix has now changed to 11 one-bed and 35 two-bedroom apartments.

Luton Labour Club occupied the building before a change of use was granted to turn it into a nightclub in 1999.

Outline plans for “the development of the land for mixed use purposes, including flats and A2 professional services”, was approved in 2009.

Planning permission is required for the demolition of buildings because the site is in a conservation area, explained the report.

“No changes are proposed to the height or design of the building as originally approved.

“And there were no objections from surrounding properties.”

The committee approved the redevelopment proposals on Wednesday, March 25, when it met behind closed doors because of the coronavirus crisis.