Hatters CEO reveals 'major modification applications' to be submitted for Power Court and Newlands Park

Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet has revealed that the club are to submit ‘major modification applications’ for both Power Court and Newlands Park which he hopes will be given the green light in Spring 2021.

The CEO had confirmed in September that the coronavirus pandemic had led to a rethink in the Hatters' plans for the 17,500 all-seater stadium, which they were awarded planning permission for by Luton Borough Council in January 2019, along with a mixed use scheme at Newlands Park just two months later.

A new Aldi foodstore to be built at Gypsy Lane in Luton, which was passed by the Court of Appeal, further hit Town’s plans, but writing in his programme notes ahead of last night’s 3-1 win over Norwich City, Sweet provided supporters with the latest update, admitting some 'minor compromises' will have to be made.

He said: “I can confirm that we are way down the line on a planning pre-application for both Power Court and Newlands Park.

"No panic needed! Our revised plans won't take another four years from here to gain consent.

"In the next couple of weeks or so we will submit major modification applications for both sites which will see them decided upon by Spring 2021; just a few short months away.

"Nobody needs to be told or reminded that Covid-19 and the government's questionable response to it, has totally rocked our world and, specifically, has enforced a rethink in terms of how we respond to a new economic environment and a permanent transformation in lifestyle people we have as we emerge.

"Upon the sudden realisation of the magnitude of this unwanted disruption in March, we knew we needed to react immediately and definitively to maintain any kind of reality to our schemes; and this is what we have done.

"With retail, commercial and other relevant markers being permanently damaged, along with a supermarket effectively being taken away from us in planning terms, we have had to make some minor compromises that may initially appear to be a dilution from our original aspirational objectives.

“However, we will remain loyal to the development of a proud gateway at Junction 10 of the M1; we'll still enhance our town centre with the stadium development which will see an increase in dwellings, an increase in affordable dwellings, the River Lea having its lid taken off and even the halo remaining as our spiritual 'hat'.

"Most importantly, our primary attention in redrafting with our consultants has been to ensure that all independent components are viable, feasible and very deliverable in the immediate future.”

Chief Operating Officer for 2020 Developments, the club's property arm, Michael Moran, had stated last month that work on the site would begin next year, and although Sweet revealed that the actual stadium construction wouldn’t get going until 2022, he also remains hopeful that they can start to prepare the venues.

He added: “Market interest is following our progress closely, giving us confidence in our ability to place the order to the hire of the odd crane of two with the attention that we hope to see one in town by the summer of next year.

"We are currently going through the process of showing our new designs to key stakeholders and statutory consultees before we make them public.

"But when we reveal our fresh plans, we will need the backing of supporters and residents again, in the way we will guide you, assuming you like the new plans, of course.

"Currently our target date to begin the two-year construction of our new home will be in the first half of 2022 and more detailed stadium designs are progressing very well.”