Yahoo Sports Plans approved for Luton Town's new stadium
Luton Town Football Club's final plans for its new 25,000-seater stadium have been given planning approval.
Outline permission was already granted in 2019 for a stadium at Power Court in the town centre.
The Hatters' development company, 2020 Developments (Luton) Limited, submitted a detailed application to the council in September, which included a music venue and hotel.
The club said: "We are delighted to confirm that Luton Borough Council's planning committee have approved the planning application for our 25,000-capacity Power Court Stadium to be built."
It previously said building a new stadium on brownfield land next to the railway station would "increase the club's chances of reaching and remaining in the Premier League".
The club, which was relegated from the top flight of English football last season, has played at the 12,000-seater Kenilworth Road for 119 years.
However, a design and access statement by 2020 Developments said the ground "no longer meets the club's ambition of competing at the highest level".
"The physical constraints of Kenilworth Road, packed in among rows of terraced houses in Bury Park, make it impossible for the club to grow," the statement read.
The new stadium will include media facilities, conference rooms, and food and beverage outlets.
Works to divert the River Lea will also take place, while commercial and community spaces will be included in the development.
A major sub-station would also need to be moved to make space for the stadium.
After the decision on Monday, the club said further information would be coming soon.
James Taylor, portfolio holder responsible for regeneration and inclusive growth at Luton Council, said the approval was "great news" for Luton and would "spark revitalisation" of the town centre.
"When our team does well, our town does well and this positive development can have every Hatters fan looking to the future with optimism," he said.
A planning statement from professional services consulting firm WSP said: "The development of Power Court is an important catalyst to drive regeneration in Luton town centre."
"The focal point of the stadium, along with the other town centre uses, will bring further vibrancy to this new quarter," WSP added.
The club said in September that it hoped to complete the work on the stadium by 2027.
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