To: Luton borough council, Gavin Shuker MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Karen Bradley MP, Sajid Javid MP

Support Luton Town football club relocation plans

Please support the Planning Applications 16/01400 Power Court and 16/01401 Newlands, which will enable the relocation of the football club and regeneration of the local community

Why is this important?

A football club is a vital part of any community which draws people together. This was demonstrated in 2009 when 44,000 residents of Luton attended the new Wembley stadium to watch the team win its last major trophy. It was great to see fans from all sections of the community coming together in hope and celebration, and I would like to see more. The game is called 'association football' with good reason!

The current stadium at Kenilworth road is located in a very inaccessible part of town which leads to congestion and traffic problems on match days. The limited capacity of the current stadium also restricts the progress of the team going forwards.

The consortium behind these plans (2020 developments) are mostly local businessmen and true supporters of the town. Having already saved the club from being disbanded in 2009 they have sustained the club through five long years of non-league football - this is not an exercise in profiteering.

This development is not just about football, but the football club can be the centre around which the community can coalesce. Luton has received a bad press over the years. It has suffered a decline in common with many other post industrial towns across the country. This development will regenerate the town center and provide employment for many people locally both during construction and going forward. Also, in contrast to the current trend for taking things 'out of town' this development will revitalise the town centre, providing a venue for concerts and other cultural activities which are currently sorely lacking.

Please support this application.

Luton

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