A campaign called #saveourtown has been launched today to support plans to regenerate Luton with two new developments that will create up to 10,000 new jobs, revitalise the town centre, create a new football stadium and open up land for housing in the Bury Park area.
The campaign gives a voice to Lutonians and people who care about Luton, drawn from all parts of the community.
It aims to demonstrate the huge support for the Power Court and Newlands Park proposals from across the town. The proposals are currently being opposed by only one objector – Capital & Regional (C&R), operators of The Mall.
11,000 people, a record number, supported the plans for Power Court and Newlands Park by email and letter when the application from 2020 Developments was submitted. Local MPs, councilors and the wider community have also stated their support for the developments.
#saveourtown believe it is critical for the future of the town that the proposals go ahead, as they will:
- Put an end to stagnation and bring much needed regeneration to the town
- Create a new football stadium and associated developments at Power Court to revitalise our town centre, which, at present, is closed by Capital & Regional and The Mall every evening
- Provide a different shopping and leisure experience on our doorstep at Newlands Park so that the Luton pound stays in Luton
- Introduce a gateway to the town that Lutonians can be proud of and will attract future investment
If Capital & Regional continue to block the proposals Luton will be left with:
- A contaminated and derelict site at Power Court
- Unused arable land at the entrance to the town
- A crumbling football stadium on a site in one of the most deprived wards in the country which could be used for desperately needed housing
- A town centre which is closed by Capital & Regional every evening, which in turn destroys the night-time economy
Capital & Regional is a property investment company with a joint stock market listing in London and Johannesburg. #saveourtown believes that Capital & Regional are only interested in maintaining its dominant retail position in Luton town centre, which it has used as a cash cow for too long. They have threatened to ‘kick the plans into the long grass’ with opposition, intimidation and misinformation.
Lauren Archell, spokesperson for #saveourtown said:
“This is our town, not Capital & Regional’s. We have had enough of outsiders who have no interest in Luton ignoring us, abusing us and exploiting us. For the sake of present and future residents, it is time for action.
“This is not just about a football stadium. If Capital & Regional get away with blocking this development we will be left not just with a crumbling stadium, but a stagnant town centre, a derelict and contaminated town centre site, an ugly field at the entrance to the town and miss the opportunity to build much needed housing. We cannot let Capital & Regional do this to us.
“We must save our town.”