Luton Town submit new plans for academy dome after previous thwarted attempts

Luton Town Football Club has submitted plans for a new indoor facility at their training headquarters, The Brache, in their latest bid to boost their academy after previous run-ins with the council.

It is part of the club’s long-term strategy to help them compete in a more sustainable way with richer rivals, with a domed pitch required to compete in the Premier League’s Under-23 development games programme, which would help the Hatters attract and develop the best young talent. 

One previous option was identified on the former bowling green site next to The Brache, but Luton Council instead approved a new Aldi supermarket, having originally rejected a planning application in 2019. Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet said at the time that it would impact on the club’s plans for Power Court – where planning consent for a supermarket had already been granted – which it now has. 

Then, last year, the club’s hopes for a training dome on land at Cutenhoe Road were controversially dashed. Despite securing planning permission and support from neighbouring schools, who would have been able to use it, the Labour-run council then refused to grant a lease for the land in two secret votes. 

The Liberal Democrats originally forced a review of the first behind closed doors decision with leader Cllr David Franks then slamming the “cloak of secrecy”, while Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet was “dumbfounded by the short-sightedness” of the decision. 

Now the Hatters have applied for permission to build a semi-temporary structure within their existing Brache complex, on the existing 5-a-side football pitch, to give Academy players and the first team a high-quality gymnasium space to train.

This new planning application letter written on behalf of Luton Town, says: ‘There is a pressing need to improve Luton Town FC’s facilities. 

‘In common with other clubs, great importance is placed on the preparation and maintenance of the teams’ fitness and medical/physiotherapy support. ‘Every effort is made to prepare players and the result has been an increase in medical, performance and coaching support. 

‘Greater importance is placed on the rehabilitation and recuperation of players, during both training and matches. 

‘There is therefore a requirement to provide high-quality facilities on the existing training ground to allow uninterrupted year round training.’