To all Luton Borough Councillors
Re: Proposed Sports Dome on land behind Cutenhoe Road.
We are extremely disappointed at the Executive Committee decision to refuse a lease option to 2020 Developments Limited for land behind Cutenhoe Road.
Your reasons for the refusal, a) to keep the land for educational purposes b) consistency in decision making raises other important points that need to be answered.
- Living in these straightened times with the council planning an emergency budgets to raise funds, the approval and agreement of these lease terms would bring much needed cash flow to the council. To not accept this revenue stream the council is acting negligently, irresponsibly and is putting poor reasoning before the needs of the people of Luton.
- The benefits of the dome far outweigh the reasons for refusal of the lease. 2020 Developments Ltd in their planning responses have promised use of the land for schools on a daily basis. Surrounding schools are extremely happy with this arrangement and it fits in with the government agenda of physical fitness and mental wellbeing being a priority. 2020 have also offered a 12-month lease break which means the council doesn’t have to commit the land long term! This firm commitment goes much further than the Council’s general and vague comment to ‘keep the land for educational purposes.
- The ‘consistency having to be maintained’ reason towards a previous applicant wanting to lease the land is questionable. As we know, times change and the council needs to move with the times, in this extraordinarily difficult financial period a precedent can be made to counter the argument.
The job of a Councillor is to represent the people of Luton and do what is best for them. The Save our Town Committee believe this decision is not in the best interest of the people of Luton or Luton schools.
There is a bright future ahead for Luton helped not only by the football club but other major developers. We urge Luton Councillors to shake off their selective myopia and work with 2020 Developments Ltd to sort this impasse and do what is best for our town and its residents.
Save our Town Committee