14. Power Court

Themes: Community engagement and participation; Promoting appropriate and sympathetic land management; Improving water quality and water quantity

Objectives:

  • Increase public access to and involvement in the river
  • Increase the amount and quality of habitat
  • Reduce pollution through physical improvements around the river

Project description

Deculverting of the river as part of development of the town centre.

Power Court is a strategic regeneration area and it offers the potential to deculvert a substantial length of the river and increase its access and recreational value in the centre of the town. In January 2019 planning permission was given for the redevelopment of the site including a new 17,500 seater stadium for Luton Football Club, approximately 500 residential apartments across five blocks, approx. 50,000 sq ft of bars, restaurants, lifestyle retail units and a small niche cinema, a new 1,800 capacity live venue, supermarket and car parking.

Most importantly to the catchment partnership is that the development will 'daylight' the river and bring it back to the surface from it current culvert. Whilst the river will not be on its original line it will be visible to the public and it will create new habitat and an improved landscape with an enhanced public space t complement the grade-1 listed St Mary's Church. Luton Borough Council is currently in liaison regarding the final design of the work.

You can read more details on the planning application for these developments on the Luton Borough Council website.

Project lead: Luton Borough Council

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting.