Luton Council has confirmed that construction on The Stage will finally begin in January, marking the most significant step forward for the £136million town centre regeneration scheme since it stalled earlier this year.
The announcement follows months of delays linked to the nationwide backlog in securing approval from the Building Safety Regulator, an issue that has held up major projects across the country.
The update also comes after the council’s Scrutiny Finance Review Group was told last month that workmen were intended to be “on site again” from 5 January. Councillors were also told that the £20million government grant attached to the scheme remained “safe and secure”.
The council has now publicly declared that The Stage is “good to go”, confirming on its social media pages that the regulator has issued the final approval needed to start building. Describing the development as its “flagship” town centre project, the local authority said work would begin immediately after the Christmas break.
The scheme, set to rise on the former Bute Street Shoppers car park, will deliver 292 apartments including 84 affordable rental homes, as well as commercial units, a new food and drink venue with performance space and a public garden square.
The council said the project would create a “vibrant” mixed use destination and represents an “exciting point in the regeneration of our town centre”.
This latest announcement reinforces earlier commitments that costs have remained under control during the enforced pause, due to the requirement to secure BSR approval under post Grenfell building safety legislation, which introduced tougher checks and created delays nationwide.
With the green light now issued, the council says it “cannot now wait for building work to start”, positioning the development as a central pillar of its wider £1.7billion regeneration ambitions for Luton.
Councillor James Taylor, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth at Luton Council, said: “We’re at an exciting point in regenerating the town centre. Groundwork for The Stage has been taking place, and after a national delay in regulatory approval, we’ve now received the green light to move forward. This project will help transform the area into a vibrant space we can all be proud of.
“This is a crucial element of the Town Centre Masterplan and supports our mission to eradicate poverty in Luton. Improving this gateway to the town will help create a more positive first impression, making it more welcoming for visitors, workers, and families, with enhanced public spaces, air quality, and connectivity.
“It’s an important location, ideally placed near the rail station, bus interchange, and taxi rank – making it one of the most accessible areas to live, work and visit in Luton.”
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