South Bedfordshire District Council responds to Rosemound Developments Ltd proposal at Junction 12 on the M1

South Bedfordshire District Council responds to Rosemound Developments Ltd proposal at Junction 12 on the M1

South Bedfordshire District Council has been approached by Rosemound Developments Ltd signalling their intention to bring forward development proposals for a new stadium for Luton Town Football Club on land at Junction 12 on the M1.

The Council has not as yet received any application from them for planning permission.

When an application of this type is submitted it is very likely it would be dealt with at national government level following a call in by the Secretary of State. This would involve a major public inquiry and have a substantial lead-time.

Junction 11a was identified as the most suitable home for Luton Town Football Club’s new stadium by the Joint Planning and Transportation Committee (JPTC); a group of planning experts from South Bedfordshire District Council, Luton Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council who are looking into the best ways of delivering the massive growth that the government has planned for the South Bedfordshire and Luton area.

Councillor Tom Nicols, executive portfolio holder with responsibility for growth and planning and Chair of the JPTC said of the news: “We wish the Luton Town Football Club the best for its future, however the site they have described at Junction 12 would sit uncomfortably with SBDC’s existing and current local plan which defines that the site as being in the greenbelt. The land at Junction 11a would be a more sustainable location as it falls within the growth area and is on the edge of an already urban area. We hope that we can work with the club and their partners to the benefit of the wider community as well as Luton Town Football Club.”

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Press release issued: February 21 2007