Plans to redevelop Vauxhall site in Luton given the go-ahead

Applicant Goodman Luton Gateway (One) GP LLP is set to demolish the old van and car manufacturing buildings at Kimpton Road and redevelop almost 90 acres of land.

The plans are expected to create around 404 direct and 99 indirect jobs during construction – generating £142m over the construction period and annual spend of £945,360.

Once complete, the site would create 2,406 direct and 466 indirect jobs during operation which could generate £123m per annum and workforce expenditure of £4.2m annually – according to a report considered at last night’s development management committee meeting (July 22)

The proposals include access from Kimpton Road and Vauxhall Way, parking, landscaping and other works on a site allocated as a category A employment area.

Councillor Basit Mahmood, cabinet member for regeneration and inclusive growth on Luton Borough Council, said the approval marks a major milestone in bringing the site back into use – as well as securing its long-term future.

He said: "The former Vauxhall plant has played an important role in Luton's history for generations, so it is encouraging to see these plans move forward so quickly to deliver a new future for the site.

"Goodman’s investment will help attract new businesses, support thousands of jobs and strengthen Luton's economy for years to come. It also demonstrates the confidence investors have in our town and our ambitious vision for sustainable and inclusive economic growth."

Jason Harris, commercial eirector at Goodman, said: “This is a significant milestone that brings the regeneration of the former Vauxhall van plant another step closer.

"Our transformation of the site will create local jobs, unlock new investment and act as a catalyst for Luton's long-term economic growth.

“We would like to thank Luton Council members and officers for their proactive support, which reinforces our confidence in Luton as a great place to invest.”

A prior approval application to demolish the remaining buildings was granted in January. The report added: “The final details of scale, layout, appearance and landscaping for the main developable area will be decided through future reserved matters applications.

“The applicant has stated this scheme will involve demolishing all the buildings except part of K Block next to Morton House and Kimpton Road. There would be office space and welfare facilities, such as showers, lockers, changing rooms and canteens, a cafe, operational service yards for each building, staff parking and bicycle storage.

“Parameter plans have been provided to control and limit the extent of the development, with:

up to 200,000sqm of industrial, storage and distribution floorspace uses;

up to 200sqm for the cafe;

and open space with wellbeing areas, drainage attenuation and biodiversity improvements.

Vauxhall has long been a part of the Luton landscape. The company moved to Luton in 1905, expanding into the production of commercial vehicles in 1930. After 1940, the site specialised in cars and light commercial vehicles.

But the car plant closed in 2002, and the remaining van plant shut its doors in 2025.