Luton Town resubmit plans to build an air dome at Cutenhoe Road as they bid to become a Category Two Academy

Luton have resubmitted a planning permission to build an air dome on the playing field to the rear of Barnfield Academy South in Cutenhoe Road.

The Hatters need the facility if they are to move from a Category Three Academy to a Category Two, which would then see the club be able to join the Premier League’s U23 development games programme, giving their youngsters the experience of playing against some of the top talents at their age level. Town already had plans passed by Luton Council to install a dome at the venue back in late 2020, only for them to then reject the decision at a meeting of the Executive a few months later, a decision that left Hatters CEO Gary Sweet ‘dumbfounded.’

However, Luton have now submitted new plans once more with the covering letter saying: “This application seeks full planning permission to provide a covered pitch for the Club’s Academy players. It should be noted that this application is effectively a resubmission of application 20/00709/OUT, granted permission on 2 October 2020 by Luton Borough Council, which approved: “Outline application including appearance, landscaping, layout and scale with access to be determined later as a reserved matter for 'Indoor' Academy Training Facility for Luton Town Football Club”.

“This application seeks full planning permission for an 'Indoor Academy Training Facility' for Luton Town Football Club. The proposed development seeks to bring forward a very similar scheme. The proposal will involve the assembly of an ‘air dome’ containing one football pitch to provide ‘indoor’ training facilities at the site.

"The dome will overlay an existing pitch. The previously granted dome contained welfare facilities (changing rooms and storage) within the dome, whereas the current application no longer includes these facilities. The proposed air dome will accommodate the pitch only. The scheme is in accordance with national and Local Plan policy and we trust that this sustainable application can be supported by the Council.”

On just why it is such an important facility for the Hatters, the letter continued: “The Club want to obtain Category 2 Academy status, which requires an indoor pitch. At present, the Club’s under 9 to under 23 sides only have Category 3 status. Academy Category 2 status not only helps the Club’s young players through the provision of better facilities, but also means that the Club’s future stars are less likely to be tempted to move to clubs with better academy facilities.

“In an ever more competitive environment, this ‘indoor’ pitch is critical to the Club’s future sustainability. Category 2 status also means that the Club will be able to play in the Premier League’s under 23 development games programme and means that the Club’s young players will be playing against the best players in England which should assist in their progression to the first team.

"It is mandatory to have an indoor pitch for training and playing of matches to achieve Category 2 Academy status. The pitch will be covered by an air supported membrane. The playing pitch itself will be re-laid to form an artificial pitch. This is even more important now that the first team have Premier League status.

"The provision of an 'indoor' pitch will allow the club to gain Academy Category 2 status which will enable the club to retain talented youngsters. Obtaining Category 2 status is vital to the club's ambitions to be a successful, socially inclusive, community club."

Town also believe the location of the new dome could help the area be used as a base during any future international tournaments, as the covering letter added: "Given that the Club’s training ground at The Brache is close to Luton Airport and Wembley, London has the potential to be selected as a location for teams appearing at future international tournaments, such as the 2028 European Championships being hosted in the UK and Ireland.

"The provision of a new state-of-the-art indoor pitch will make The Brache and Luton more attractive for international teams and will boost the prospects of an international team choosing to locate in Luton. If a team does base itself in Luton, it will help to promote Luton’s image. Provision of vehicular access will be subject to a separate planning application, for the creation of new access, provision of player welfare facilities and a new path.”