Luton Town Relocation Plans

[Kenneth E End]

Gary Sweet had said that the outline planning application will be submitted on Thursday. He's also said that a Brexit vote will not affect this project, although confesses he's not an economist in this issue. Fortunately, major deals don't need to be signed at the planning stage, but the uncertainty won't be over until the UK formerly exits the EU and beyond.

I suppose you could argue that the deals signed yesterday prove some business confidence - the Ssangyong deal is for 2 years with a further 2 year option (I'm guessing this partnership exceeds the £100,000 a year we were getting from Barnfield last year) and the Puma deal is for 4 years taking us up to the stadium opening date, where obviously we can negotiate a far better deal.

 

[Hatter86]

So it's been confirmed that tomorrow is the day the planning application for Power Court is submitted, as well as the plan for the enabling development at Newlands Park. Gary Sweet has confirmed that a few tweaks have been made based on feedback given at the open exhibitions which is presumably encouraging.

Initially they said they hoped to have the plan accepted by the start of 2017 and we haven't heard anything different. Date seems a bit tight for me but then I know nothing of these things.

Exciting times.

 

[Kenneth E End]

I can't see why the council can't get off the backsides and approve it within 6 months! That is more than enough time.

 

[Hatter86]

Well there's a lot to be done on both sites. I guess the speed at which it is and isn't sorted will be a decent indicator of how behind us the council actually are.

 

[Judge Dredd]

We've got a new training ground:
http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/art...venue360-nathan-jones-gary-sweet-3196975.aspx

Big, big step for us IMHO, Ely Way was not fit for purpose and was frequently commented on (negatively) by past managers and players (McGeehan mentioned it this week in the press as being a bit crap).

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Sounds good for us, does it mean that the facilities that are there will not be able to be used by the public though?

Judging from the language about "exclusive use" and a the five a side courts being available until works are complete it seems so, which isn't great. Other facilities in town of course but still would be a shame, when I worked up at the airport we would use it regularly and was pretty convenient.

 

[Chasing Rainbows]

Bit late to the party on this but that Stadium looks absolutely quality, much better than most new stadiums.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We've got a new training ground:
http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/art...venue360-nathan-jones-gary-sweet-3196975.aspx

Big, big step for us IMHO, Ely Way was not fit for purpose and was frequently commented on (negatively) by past managers and players (McGeehan mentioned it this week in the press as being a bit crap).

All it was, was a couple of portacabins, a gravel car park and a few fields. Used to get broken into fairly regularly and players had items stolen.

I hope some sort of arrangement is made with the general public, because its a huge top quality facility - to kick out a large number of people wouldn't fit with the club's social responsibility aims. Its also got about 8 tennis courts on the side and conference facilities so not sure what's going to happen there. The Luton press release seemed a bit contradictory, so will await further details.

 

[Aberstone]

Yeah, bit of a bummer if the 5 a side pitches are removed as I tend to use them most Wednesdays.

 

[Hatter86]

Confirmed on our councils website the applications have gone in and been validated. Now begins public consultation. Feel free to drop our council a line to tell them what a brilliant idea this is. Even if you aren't from Luton. Even if you don't support Luton. Just think, if this goes ahead, never again will you have to make the journey between peoples houses to get into the Oak Road...

 

[rudebwoyben]

Confirmed on our councils website the applications have gone in and been validated. Now begins public consultation. Feel free to drop our council a line to tell them what a brilliant idea this is. Even if you aren't from Luton. Even if you don't support Luton. Just think, if this goes ahead, never again will you have to make the journey between peoples houses to get into the Oak Road...

But that was part of the charm of visiting Kenilworth Road!
Seriously, I'll try to make the effort to drop a line of support. I know all too well how difficult it is for a club to get permission to build a new ground.

 

[genesimmons]

Kenilworth road is well past its sell by date. I also feel the other developments around the stadium will help the town which is in a state of decline. People just seem to live there and head out of town for night life and work

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Stupid question alert.

I live in Cambridge, I know it says that all feedback is valued and to Cc in your local MP, is this more in relation to people who live outside the borough of Luton, but for example in Dunstable or can literally anyone, regardless of vicinity to Luton email their support?

 

[Kenneth E End]

Confirmed on our councils website the applications have gone in and been validated. Now begins public consultation. Feel free to drop our council a line to tell them what a brilliant idea this is. Even if you aren't from Luton. Even if you don't support Luton. Just think, if this goes ahead, never again will you have to make the journey between peoples houses to get into the Oak Road...

The project is almost starting to feel very real.

The club have now spent over £1m on the planning so far, albeit less than 1% of the total budget - they have bands of consultants, project managers, surveyors and industry experts working on this.

It just has to be approved - if it doesn't, the club cannot progress and fulfill its potential. There will be detractors, however the club have sought to cover any avenues, almost building in this additional redundancy to try and appease these groups.

 

[genesimmons]

The project is almost starting to feel very real.

The club have now spent over £1m on the planning so far, albeit less than 1% of the total budget - they have bands of consultants, project managers, surveyors and industry experts working on this.

It just has to be approved - if it doesn't, the club cannot progress and fulfill its potential. There will be detractors, however the club have sought to cover any avenues, almost building in this additional redundancy to try and appease these groups.

Yeah there will always be someone objecting no matter how good the project to the area, I doubt any objecting to this will be football fans. So when the recession due?

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[Hatter86]

Here is some literature the various supporters groups have produced in regards to this. Will tell you what you can do and how you can do it

This is the time guys. These 4 weeks is when we can truly make a difference and make sure this thing happens. Do not assume someone else will do this for us. There will be people who oppose this, there always is. That's why its so important that everyone gets on to this. Every voice counts

COYH.

 

[Kenneth E End]

So when is the recession due?

This is my worry, as well as the impact of Brexit, of which the town with the airport being the biggest employer, slightly exposed.

Unlike in 2008, I think to an extent Luton as a town will become a bit recession proof. The growth in the town as a whole has been phenomenal for a number of reasons - in terms of population growth and increase in disposable income. People are moving from London and richer areas, resulting in house prices in the area growing massively in the last couple of years and the town as a whole becoming more trendy.

 

[oakroader]

Luton...trendy.....fuck off

 

[oakroader]

luton....trending.....more people moving out than moving in

 

[egg and chips]

From the plans

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Working in professional construction myself I must say it looks absolutely fantastic. Modern whilst keeping football stadium character.

I'm a huge fan of the below ground level pitch also.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I do find the asymmetrical design of the Main Stands a little odd and their lack of integration to the behind goal ones.That said it looks a million times better than the cookie cutter modern soulless offerings elsewhere round the country

 

[codaplenty]

Hope it gets off the ground for you lads, your going well in the league so loads to look forward too-even a visit to good old Fleetwood next year !

 

[egg and chips]

Another leaflet yesterday, taped on every seat in the ground.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I've done my bit and emailed my support, as an out of towner I'm not sure what value is placed on it but still done my small bit to show support.

Like I say I'm out of Luton, anyone got any gauge on what the level of support is for it amongst non football supporting Lutonians?

 

[Kenneth E End]

I've done my bit and emailed my support, as an out of towner I'm not sure what value is placed on it but still done my small bit to show support.

Like I say I'm out of Luton, anyone got any gauge on what the level of support is for it amongst non football supporting Lutonians?

Hard to say because the council have been slow in uploading comments to their portal (unsurprising considering there's been 1200+ emails). The comments so far have been around 98% positive. There won't be many residential objections; I think our objectors will be commercial who may well leave it to the last minute.

 

[Aberstone]

I've done my bit and emailed my support, as an out of towner I'm not sure what value is placed on it but still done my small bit to show support.

Like I say I'm out of Luton, anyone got any gauge on what the level of support is for it amongst non football supporting Lutonians?

Small sample base as I'm taking this from discussions in the office but those who know about it are fully in support of the idea - however because it's not a passion, I can't see many if any taking the time to e-mail the council.

I'll be supporting the application shortly, definitely making reference to the White Elephant that is the Luton - Dunstable busway actually seeing some use if both applications are supported.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Looks brilliant actually. Glad you've not planned for some LEGO build bowl thing like many clubs these days. Hope you remain proper bottle jobs for a few more years though so I can actually visit if it happens. I might be one of very few away supporters that will miss the Kenny though. Very hostile which always makes for a good atmosphere and got one or two very good memories at that place.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Small sample base as I'm taking this from discussions in the office but those who know about it are fully in support of the idea - however because it's not a passion, I can't see many if any taking the time to e-mail the council.

I'll be supporting the application shortly, definitely making reference to the White Elephant that is the Luton - Dunstable busway actually seeing some use if both applications are supported.

I'd say the comments need to focus less on football and more of the area in general. The facilities will improve enable the area to meet its potential, having wide ranging impacts for everyone. Especially after Brexit I don't see how any planning committee can turn any project down of this magnitude.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Great stuff but it will be a sad day when we do walk away from the Kenny. Like most football supporters some of the memories of my life happened at my club. The pure energy of my first game one evening, walking into a charged up Maple as a 12yo instantly hooked, changed my life. Often mundane and frustrating, occasional joy. Man I love that dump. Hope the new place does for others like the Kenny did for me.