"We are praying for success" Historic church known as Luton's medieval jewel backs Hatters' Power Court plan

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If Luton Town Football Club feels the need for some divine inspiration over its multi-million pound stadium plans, it could just be available from a nearby historic church.

The Grade I listed St Mary’s Church in the town centre is only a short distance from the Hatters’ Power Court development site.

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But despite the prospect of being overshadowed by the landmark project, vicar the Reverend Mike Jones confessed to “praying for success for Luton Town in all the club’s endeavours”.

A detailed planning application for the 25,000-capacity stadium was submitted to Luton Borough Council by the football club’s development company at the end of last week.

Artist's impression of Power Court next to St Mary's Church. Picture: Luton Town FCArtist's impression of Power Court next to St Mary's Church. Picture: Luton Town FC
Artist's impression of Power Court next to St Mary's Church. Picture: Luton Town FC

The hybrid application from 2020 Developments Luton will provide full details on the stadium and include an updated outline submission for the hotel and music venue, according to the club website.

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In a statement, St Mary’s Church said: “We warmly welcome the new plans that have been submitted to the local authority.

“Our submission to the borough council planners will be strongly supportive, although we’ll be noting our concerns as always.

“The club has been quick to acknowledge our concerns and those of others in the past. These have included the thoughts of Historic England, which acts as guardian of our heritage.

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“This input has been the basis of the overall design put forward now. We are confident this will be the same currently and in the future.”

St Mary’s Church is sometimes described as Luton’s medieval jewel, having stood on its site for 900 years. Recognising the large and noisy presence alongside the church building, the Reverend Jones is enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

“The Hatters approached us a year or so after my arrival as vicar with their then tentative and somewhat controversial plans for a town centre stadium,” he explained.

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“They met with our parish church council at Kenilworth Road to talk about their hopes and dreams, several months before their first public consultation in 2016.

“From the outset, their commitment to being good neighbours was clear. The values which have marked their progress up (and temporarily, we pray, down) the leagues were clear to us even then.

“With those standards at the core, we feel sure the journey with them as neighbours will be challenging sometimes to our own busy schedule. But it’ll be worthwhile for the good of the town, the football club and, we believe, the church.

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“The club is looking to build a great stadium, while investing substantially into the regeneration of this area of our town. As the plans proceed, we’re praying for success for Luton Town in all the club’s endeavours.”

The application is due to be formally validated by borough council planning officers, once everything is found to be complete, said the club website. “This process could take up to two weeks, with all documents in the public domain once validated.”

Luton Town Football Club and 2020 Developments chief executive Gary Sweet said: “This important announcement is a pivotal moment for all supporters, residents and businesses of Luton.”

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