Lutonians are celebrating today after Capital & Regional’s long-running challenge came to an end over Luton Town Football Club’s major regeneration plans for the town centre – with the Hatters, Luton Council and campaign groups all hailing ‘a ground-breaking day’.
It was confirmed today that the deadline had passed for the owners of The Mall shopping centre to appeal the High Court’s refusal of their judicial review application over Newlands Park.
It means the London-based retail group, who have been the major objectors, now have no further options to delay the planning process – a saga that had dragged on since 2016 when plans for Power Court and Newlands Park were first unveiled.
It also means that Luton Council’s decision to grant planning consent stands for both mixed-use schemes and that 2020 Developments, the property arm of Luton Town Football Club, can progress with the schemes that will deliver a new 17,500-seat stadium for the Hatters, among a number of exciting new leisure, entertainment, food, drink and retail facilities.
A statement from Luton Council said: “The High Court dismissed C&R’s Judicial Review of the Newlands Park planning permission on 19 December 2019 and the High Court has confirmed that an appeal against that decision has not been made within the deadline.
“We have always maintained absolute confidence in the decision making process undertaken to reach this planning decision and are pleased to confirm the planning permission is free from legal challenge.
“We will now be taking action to pursue the legal costs incurred through defending our position.”
C&R will now have to fork out £15,365 in costs to the Hatters and £9,363 to the council.
A statement on the Hatters’ website said: “We are delighted to hear the fantastic news from Luton Council that the High Court has confirmed that no appeal has been made within the deadline against the pre-Christmas decision to dismiss C&R’s call for a Judicial Review on the Newlands Park planning approval.
“Along with our colleagues at the Council, we always believed that their decision last March to grant permission for the mixed-use development at Junction 10 was fair and not open to challenge.
“The Judge agreed on December 19th and finally C&R have given up on contesting the decision further.
“This means we are finally able to move forward in refreshing the four-year-old plans to enable us build a new stadium for the football club, and play our part in helping to regenerate our town with two developments that will bring thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment.
“This is a ground-breaking day – securing victory in by far and away the biggest battle we’ve faced throughout the 11 years of 2020’s custodianship.
“We would like to thank all of our supporters for their patience and constant support throughout the whole process.
“That goes especially to those groups who have been actively supporting our developments throughout this long road, including Luton Town Supporters’ Trust, Loyal Luton Supporters’ Club, Save Our Town and others whose unwavering backing and faith has helped produce the best result possible.
“Like the Council, we will now be taking action to pursue the legal costs incurred in the recent challenge – while looking forward to many more memorable occasions in our final seasons at Kenilworth Road before moving to our new home at Power Court.”
A statement from community campaign group #saveourtown, with the headline of ‘VICTORY’, said: ‘The 6th of January 2020 will go down in the history of our town as the day the first rays of a bright new future shone on Luton.
‘We know now that Capital & Regional will not appeal the High Court’s decision to throw out their judicial review application over Newlands Park. For once, they have made the right decision, but we no longer need to speak of them.
‘What today means, in simple terms, is the Luton has won!
‘This is the confirmation that you don’t mess with Lutonians.
‘This is the confirmation that only Lutonians know what is best for our town.
‘This is the confirmation that our children can grow up in a town to be proud of.
‘This is the confirmation that our town will benefit from the creation of 10,000 new jobs.
‘This is the confirmation that our town our town’s economy will be boosted by £250million per year.
‘This is the confirmation that our football club will have a new 17,500-seat stadium and a sustainable future.
‘This is the confirmation that our town will start to punch its weight with facilities to bring us music, leisure, entertainment, food, drink, high-end retail and more.
‘Today we celebrate and we raise a glass to everyone who stood up to make a difference.
‘Yet, we know it won’t happen overnight and we would echo the recent words of Luton Town chief executive Gary Sweet that people shouldn’t expect spades in the ground tomorrow.
‘But this is everything he and the 2020 board has fought for. This is everything Luton Council has fought for. They are heroes.
‘For our small part, we are thrilled to have supported them and been a voice for you. The stronger the team, the stronger the team.
‘Today, we are all Lutonians. Today we are bursting with pride. Today, more than ever, we are united.
‘Long live our town.’
In a joint statement the two Hatters fan groups, Luton Town Supporters’ Trust and Loyal Luton Supporters’ Club, said: “This is the news we have all been waiting for. The day that our dreams started to become reality. When the only barrier between regeneration for our town, and a new home for our football club, was lifted.
“The future began on 6th January 2020, when it was officially announced that Capital&Regional, who have stood between Luton and progress for nearly three years, would not be appealing the decision to turn down their request for a Judicial Review of the Newlands Park planning acceptance. Now we can look to a bright – and orange! – future for Luton.
“Congratulations to Gary Sweet, Mike Moran and the 2020 team whose resolve has never swayed, who have worked so hard to make dreams become reality. Wow. What a job you have done. And the good people of Luton Borough Council, too.
“Shame on you, Lawrence Hutchings of C&R, Nick Keable and co for the delays and the cost in money and lost time for our town and club.
“And well done to all those who have worked so hard behind the scenes to help this happen. You know who you are, a team who came together way back when, who challenged C&R and heard their representative Ken Ford utter the immortal threat to ‘kick 2020’s plans into the long grass’ at the Hightown Club meeting.
“Who instigated Save our Town, to take the battle out to all the communities of Luton. Who have been a constant thorn in the side of C&R, in support of 2020’s plans. And who have in turn been supported by thousands of you, our Luton family, many of whom have also gone quietly about battling for the cause.
“There may be further battles ahead: who knows? But the decisive victory is won, and we are all ready to ensure that our dreams come to fruition.
“This is a time for celebration. And for us to all get together and really support our football club and the players and management as they battle against the odds, up against big money and big business. We’re Luton, that’s the kind of battle we revel in…and win!
“Let’s finish with a few words which go back to the very first roadshow of the Power Court and Newlands Park plans. THIS IS OUR TOWN. THIS IS OUR TIME.”
Brilliant news hatters . Long live Luton Town f.c