Anger over plans to demolish 19th-century Lansdowne Club in favour of eight-storey block of flats

The Lansdowne Club on New Bedford Road has stood dormant since closing its doors to customers in 2018 and the site was put up for sale that year.

Now, applicant Denis Nolan of Lansdowne Developments Ltd has applied for planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with a block of flats.

According to a planning statement prepared by agents Chart Plan Ltd: "The development proposal comprises the demolition of the Lansdowne Club building, including the original 19th-century building, its later conversions and extensions, and will provide 72 new residential units in an eight-storey building.

"The majority of buildings in the nearby context of the application site are of two and three storey proportions. This increases to four storey structures just west of the site.

"There is no longer a recognised local need for the men's club facility, discussion now moves to the suitability of the site for new housing and the demonstrated need for new homes."

Developers stated that the project is "unable" to offer any affordable housing following a financial viability assessment and it will consist of one, two and three-bedroom units.

Car parking will be provided for 34 cars.

Residents from neighbouring The Mount and Villa Road say they were not consulted about the proposed development.

Simon Tweed, chairman of Snowholme Ltd, management company for The Mount and Villa Road, said: "Our board of directors agree that what is proposed is profoundly unpleasant.

"They want to decimate the look of Villa Road with a totally out-of-place, large scale landmark development which takes no account of the historic significance of the villa or the heritage of the surrounding buildings.

"I am not against developments that enhance the look of the town, utilise previously redundant land and provide homes for people.

"The impact of parachuting this proposed development in to Villa Road will be awful for all who currently live near the former Lansdowne Club.

"And in levelling the pre-existing villa, we will lose yet again some of Luton's built heritage."

Developers state that access to the flats would come from Villa Road, whose own views would be "permanently blighted" according to one resident.

An objector to the plans wrote: "Villa Road is pretty much a one-way road and is already busy with traffic for the Leaside Hotel, the churches and all the residents in The Mount and Bedford Gardens.

"The road has many, many potholes and damage from this traffic alone. It already gets congested especially in the weekday mornings and weekends.

"How is it expected to cope with another 70 plus vehicles using it daily and where will they all park?

"Luton has an abundance of apartments all around the city centre, the last thing it needs is more."

The plans under reference 20/00573/FUL can be viewed online here. Residents have until June 26 to submit comments, which can also be sent via post to case officer Dave Inwards, Development Control, Luton Borough Council, LU1 2BQ.