 |
|
|
 |
16 Feb 2018
Luton Town chief calls delays to stadium decision ‘unfathomable’
BY
Tom Walker
|
The flexible-designed stadium – created by AndArchitects – could hold up to 23,000 fans
photo: Luton Town FC
Gary Sweet, CEO of League Two side Luton Town FC (LTFC), has branded delays in a decision over the club’s proposed stadium “unfathomable”. The club submitted a planning application for the 23,000-seat stadium to Luton Borough Council in August 2016, but despite having “answered all the questions” over the scheme, Sweet said the club is still awaiting a decision.
“There is very little now we can possibly answer, given that everything should now have been reviewed in detail,” Sweet said. “Other than one small but important final document, which can only be issued once everything else has been.
“We fully understand and appreciate that planning officers must be meticulous in their considerations, but we have been very patient, as helpful as any developer could be and have been swift in responding to any questions or challenges.
“I’m beginning to find it unfathomable how something so positive and already so detailed upon submission can take so long.”
Sweet also said the club’s plans to find partners for the development at this year’s MIPIM property event in France was under threat due to the delays.
“We will be very well represented at MIPIM in Cannes – an important global property exhibition where partnerships are created and deals are done,” he said.
“We have politely asked the council to be mindful of the fact that visiting Cannes at great expense without having a planning decision after twenty months of consideration will create a not insignificant delay in progressing with the project.
“Indeed, the inability to be able to trade at MIPIM will not only hamper our progress but the progress of the town itself.”
The club has already signed a deal for the stadium plot – the Power Court area of Luton – with British Land PLC and has revealed details plans for a mixed-use venue, set to include a piazza, cafes and restaurants.
Designed by AndArchitects, the stadium was initially set to be built in time for the 2020-21 football season, but delays now mean that time scale appears optimistic.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect with
Sport Parks Leisure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| News headlines |
|
|
 |
 |
|
18 Apr 2024
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data on the US’ wellness economy, valuing it at US$1.8 trillion. According to the
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
18 Apr 2024
The fitness sector’s pivot to active wellbeing is being discussed in a new weekly podcast, called The Conveners, and hosted by chair of GM Active and
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
17 Apr 2024
Everyone Active has launched a golfing brand, Everyone Golf, after new contract wins made it the UK’s second-largest golf operator in the UK, with ten
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
16 Apr 2024
UK Active has announced details of its annual health and fitness industry awards ceremony, which will take place in Birmingham on the evening of
.... more>> |
|
|
|
 |
|
16 Apr 2024
Social enterprise, Places Leisure, which is part of the Places for People Group, has appointed Belinda Steward as MD. Steward was previously MD at
.... more>> |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Company profile |
|
Xplor Gym
Xplor Gym is an all-in-one gym management software with embedded payments & integrated access control to make running your gym easier and more profitable.
View full profile>> |
|
| Catalogue gallery |
|
|
| Featured Supplier |
|
 |
|
|
|
in this issue
• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Latest jobs |
 |
Centre Manager (Leisure)
Salary: £40,221 - £42,403pa + pension + benefits
Location: Exeter, UK
Company: Exeter City Council
|
|
Director of Operations
Salary: £61,000 - £64,000 + exceptional pension + excellent benefits
Location: Luton, UK
Company: Active Luton
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Diary dates |
|
| Powered
by leisurediary.com |
 |
|
|
|
|
