Plans for Luton Town FC's Power Court stadium set to go before council next month

A detailed planning application for the 25,000-capacity stadium was submitted to the borough council by Luton Town Football Club’s development company 2020 Developments (Luton) Limited in September.

The hybrid application for a mixed-use development contains full details on the stadium and other facilities, and an updated outline submission for a music venue and hotel, on nearly 13 acres of the 21-acre site.

These plans are due to be considered by the local authority’s development management committee on Monday, December 16. This is the only item scheduled for the agenda, Labour Farley councillor Dave Taylor, who chairs the committee, told its meeting last night (November 27).

The mixed-use element includes spectator and media facilities, conference rooms, food and beverage outlets and commercial area, community space, works to the River Lea, an access and highways work, according to the plans.

“Other aspects are flexible open space for various uses and events, hard and soft landscaping, coach and car parking facilities, and other works.

“The outline application is for a music venue, a hotel and associated works, with interim use of the podium for the music venue as a fan zone.”

Outline planning permission was granted by LBC in September 2019 for the redevelopment of the Power Court site for the stadium-led application.

A planning statement from professional services consulting firm WSP said: “As such, the principle of development in the heart of Luton has been established.

“Following that approval, a second application for outline consent was sought for the east and west ends to increase the amount of residential accommodation on site from 550 to 1,200 properties, which was granted permission in September 2022.

“This was for a mixed-use development comprising residential floorspace, town centre elements, such as a health centre, retail, community uses, food and drinking establishments, as well as parking and cycle storage, an access, highways and river works, and landscaping.

“The stadium was excluded deliberately from this application because it was understood by the club that the detailed design of a new ground would be time-consuming. These current proposals will ‘slot in’ to the central area of the Power Court site, and will be delivered with the east and west end consent.

“A detailed application was due to be submitted for the first phase of the east and west end application towards the end of this year. That would include public realm works to ensure the routes to the stadium are finished before the venue opens.

“The development of Power Court is an important catalyst to drive regeneration in Luton town centre,” explained the statement. “A new public plaza, deculverting of the River Lea, and associated landscaping will create a space for residents and visitors to gather.

“The focal point of the stadium, along with the other town centre uses, will bring further vibrancy to this new quarter.”

Buildings and structures have been demolished at Power Court, while the River Lea flowing underground through a culvert dissects the site.