Luton chief says new ground will be 'iconic'

Gary Sweet said the new stadium would "reinvigorate" Luton town centre

Luton Town's chief executive said their new stadium could be as iconic as the Emirates or Wembley.

Luton Borough Council approved the application from The Hatters' development company, 2020 Developments (Luton) Limited, to build a 25,000-seater stadium at Power Court on Monday.

Gary Sweet, chief executive of Luton Town and the development company, described the newly signed off building as "a real architectural masterpiece of the town centre".

He said: "Everybody when they drive past Wembley and Arsenal they see those stadiums and this will be one of those iconic buildings."

He added: "Particularly with the roof lining and the halo and the way that's been designed. It's designed for that reason."

The new stadium will be in the centre of town close to the railway station, the University of Bedfordshire and Luton Point shopping centre.

"It's going to reinvigorate that town centre," Mr Sweet said.

"While that consent last night was just for the stadium, this about the wider master plan of Power Court and what that's going to deliver for the town."

Gary Sweet said he expected the stadium to be completed by 2028 or 2029 "at the very, very worst".

Luton Town, who were relegated from the top flight of English football last season, have played at the 12,000-seater Kenilworth Road for 119 years.

The new stadium will include media facilities, conference rooms, and food and beverage outlets.

Mr Sweet said work on the stadium should be completed by 2028 or 2029 "at the very, very worst".

He believes construction work should be able to start within the next six months.

The site at Power Court is in the centre of Luton

James Taylor, portfolio holder responsible for regeneration and inclusive growth at Luton Council, said the approval was "great news for Luton and our town centre".

He said: "This multi-million pound development will invest on to a long derelict site and help to spark a revitalisation of our town centre.

"With our own regeneration project, the Stage, we are excited about the positive impacts these developments will have on our economy and visitor offer.

"There are a few standard additional post committee items that still need to be resolved but we are closer now than ever in seeing the Hatters finally have a new home."

Luton Town have played at Kenilworth Road for 119 years

Tony Murray, chair of Luton Town Supporters Trust, was "ecstatic" about the approved stadium.

"As a Luton Town supporter we've waited years for this, it was first mooted in the 1950s about Luton getting a new stadium," he said.

While he admitted leaving Kenilworth Road would be "very emotional and heartbreaking" he added the move is necessary for the future success of the club.

Mr Murray said the new stadium would give a "great base to go back to the Premier League and hopefully stay there".

He added: "I'm pretty sure, knowing our supporters, that we'll transfer the atmosphere over there and make it even better."