The first challenge was to acquire the land for a new stadium. Luton’s Local Plan allocated land for a new stadium and ancillary facilities for the Club at Junction 10 of the M1 but the Club knew that its new stadium had to be at the heart of the community, in the town centre, and could be the kick starter for major rejuvenation that the town needed.
Over the years, 2020 Developments acquired all of the land at Power Court, a former power station site. Previous owners of Power Court have never been successful in successfully bringing the site forward for development due to the multitude of constraints – contamination from its previous, historic use; culverted River Lea running through the site; mains sewer through the site; three substations that need to be upgraded to fulfil Luton’s energy needs; a neighbour to Luton’s only Grade I listed building. 2020 Developments have turned those constraints into a unique set of opportunities to bring forward Power Court to be a new town centre quarter for the people of Luton.
opportunities to bring forward Power Court to be a new town centre quarter for the people of Luton.
A once-in-a-lifetime regeneration
2020 Developments are facilitators in bringing the core values of Luton Town FC to fruition on the ground. This has been evident through the planning applications that have been brought forward at Power Court which have a clear emphasis on sustainability and the environment, people and place-making.
Planning permission has been granted at Power Court for the following development:
- A new football stadium, up to 25,000 capacity;
- A music venue, of approximately 1,800 capacity;
- The re-alignment of the River Lea and associated landscaping;
- 1,200 residential flats
- A 150-key hotel;
- A health centre;
- Retail, food and beverage and commercial floorspace.