Our recent posts have, understandably, drawn an emotional response from those who are passionate about the future of our local Football Club, as we are of course. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even those provocative individuals who seem to have attention-seeking issues! The facts speak for themselves and, for us, the Council position simply doesn’t bear scrutiny. As we have said before the two reasons for refusing a lease, after planning permission was granted, are:
- That the land is earmarked for education purposes. (Whether that’s this Century or the 22nd we’re not told)
- There’s a previous lease refusal that set a precedent. (For what sort of purpose, for how long, with what break clauses, by whom and when – we are not told.)
Save Our Town would respectfully suggest again that the offer of a twelve-month break clause in the lease, that we understand has been made, ensures that any future requirements for ‘educational’ use can easily be facilitated. We would also point out that providing physical education in an all-weather facility for local schoolchildren, compliments of Luton Town FC, is an opportunity most local authorities could only dream about. All local schools have supported The Dome plan, in writing, without reservation.
The previous lease refusal is irrelevant unless it offered the same complimentary community/education facilities, uses and benefits – oh, and it agreed to plant many hundreds of trees to suck up the carbon created from Airport Way.
Context is important: This is not just about football or Luton Town FC but it is directly linked to the viability of the town centre regeneration project, that you will remember is, set to create thousands of new jobs and a multi-million injection into our local economy. Category 2 Academy status is required by LTFC for their youth programme to survive and thrive. An all-weather training Dome is needed for that status to be won.
LTFC thrives; toxic land at Power Court gets converted into a multi-use facility including residential development, a live music venue, a new stadium, retail and a night-time leisure destination as well as a new Luton Gateway, mixed-use development at J10 of the M1. It’s all joined up – interdependent.
When people state that ‘Luton is not all about Luton Town’ they are of course correct. We are not sure what relevance the statement has though. The facts are that the Club has been the only constant thread of significance in this town since 1885 – that’s 135 years!! It’s part of the fabric whether you’re a fan or not. We’re trying to think of another organisation that could draw 42,000 Luton people to a single event on one day? It matters!
It is a force for good at many levels. It’s Community Trust makes huge contributions to the town it serves.
Underlying confrontation serves no one well. It causes division and unrest that only serve those that wallow in the stagnation and negativity that too often have held us back.
Whatever grievances and disagreements in the past, that we must presume have influenced the strange decision not to agree a lease for this essential training and educational facility, we again respectfully ask that those elected councillors on the Executive Committee at LBC reconsider the decision. We must all rise above petty issues and do what is best for OUR TOWN. Let’s not get to the point of no return. Everyone will lose.
Ask not what your Town can do for you – ask perhaps what you can do for your Town!