Cleaner shopping parades, brighter gateways into town and upgraded play parks are among the first improvements residents could begin seeing across Luton after councillors approved plans for a £1.5million government-funded regeneration programme.
Luton Council’s executive committee backed proposals for the first phase of the “Pride in Place” scheme this week, with money set to be spent on neighbourhood improvements including flowers and planting, refreshed local centres, benches, bins and community buildings.
The plans emerged after what councillors described as “hundreds” of responses from residents, schools, businesses and community groups about what they most wanted improved in their local areas.
Rather than focusing on large-scale regeneration projects, much of the feedback centred on everyday issues including run-down neighbourhood parades, tired play parks and a lack of greenery.
Speaking at the meeting, her last executive before stepping down as council leader, Councillor Hazel Simmons said the funding would help “kickstart improvements across the town”.
She told the executive: “There were several clear themes in the feedback, including calls for upgraded play parks, improved bin provision, wider neighbourhood enhancements and additional planting and flowers to brighten local areas.”
The report reveals up to 20 play parks could receive £240,000 of interim upgrades, including repainting equipment and fencing and installing new child-themed bins, alongside the council’s separate £3million parks investment programme.
Nearly half a million pounds could also be spent on flowers, planting and greenery at prominent gateways and roundabouts including Airport Way, Telford Way and New Bedford Road.
Neighbourhood shopping areas are also set for targeted improvement works.
Potential works include jet-washing pavements, repainting railings, replacing worn bins and benches, improving lighting and introducing murals or artwork to tackle graffiti and brighten empty shopfronts.
Areas identified in the report include Whipperley Ring in Luton South and Hockwell Ring, Marsh Road, Sundon Park Parade, Bushmead Shopping Area and St Dominic’s Square in Luton North.
The meeting also heard how community groups could soon bid for funding to refurbish or take over unused buildings.
A proposed £480,000 “community venue improvement fund” could support projects ranging from community cafés to improvements to charity-run buildings.
Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, Councillor James Taylor, referenced a current campaign around High Town Road during the discussion, saying: “We’ve actually got a petition going around High Town at the minute looking for some funding for regeneration of High Town Road. I think the neighbourhood refresh programme sits exactly inside that.”
He also highlighted a proposal to turn a disused toilet block into a community café.
Councillors repeatedly stressed the programme was intended to be shaped directly by residents.
Councillor Simmons said the funding followed extensive engagement led by Luton’s two Labour MPs, Rachel Hopkins and Sarah Owen.
“Their outreach generated hundreds of responses from young people, schools and local businesses, providing a rich and diverse picture of what matters most to the town,” she said.
Executive members were told the council now wants to move quickly, with all £1.5million needing to be spent by March next year.
Senior council officers said discussions were already under way with MPs over which play parks and neighbourhoods should be prioritised first.
“We want to move quite quickly,” the committee heard, with letters set to be sent immediately to both MPs to finalise the next stage of the programme,” said Sinead McNamara, the council’s Director for Inclusive Economy.
The meeting also confirmed Luton will separately receive a further £40million over the next decade through a second phase of the government’s Pride in Place programme.
That longer-term funding will focus on Central and Northwell wards, with £20million allocated to each area for community-led projects aimed at tackling deeper-rooted social and environmental challenges.
Councillor Simmons described the combined funding packages as “fantastic news for the town”.
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