Threats made to Luton councillor over controversial Aldi planning application

The intimidation was not directly delivered to Liberal Democrat group leader and Barnfield councillor David Franks, but via a council officer.

It was the latest twist to a long-running saga over plans for a discount food store at Venue 360, off Gipsy Lane.

The project was finally approved on the casting vote of the committee chairman, subject to any legal challenge.

Councillor Franks opened the discussion at a borough council development control committee meeting on Wednesday, (Jan 26th) saying: “I have received two threats.

“The first threat was unless I gave an undertaking not to attend a meeting where this application was being considered a formal complaint would be made and pursued against me.

“When I made clear that I wasn’t about to be intimidated, the threat was changed to, if I did attend, unless I took no part at all in the discussion or voting a formal complaint would be pursued against me.

“I am not easily intimidated. I am here. And I am going to take my part in the debate.”

Labour Farley councillor Dave Taylor, who chairs the committee, said: “And rightly so.

“I think it’s totally out of order that someone should influence a member of the development control committee and influence their decision-making, their right to make a decision.”

Councillor Franks had referred the decision to a full council meeting after a previous approval on the casting vote of the chairman last April.

The scheme was rejected by the council and returned to the committee to decide.

After the threats had been revealed to councillors, Michael Moran from 2020 Developments Luton told the committee: “We have absolutely no desire to fall out with anyone, in terms of the council or our good friends at Venue 360.

“We have invested more than £30m cash and carry the support of more than 12,000 people who want to see the delivery of Power Court,” he explained.

“The Local Plan is very clear there should be a supermarket at Power Court. Aldi, if they are approved here, would not trade a mile away.

“Our talks with other operators are very clear they are hesitant to commit to Power Court with the spectre of a store one mile away.

“We could be on site with Aldi way ahead of any development here.”

Applicant Ian Jackson, of Hampton Brook (UK) Limited, said: “We’ve been through the mill on this one.

“We’ve had to jump through every hoop over the course of the last 20 months.

“The planning officer says it’s finely balanced, but recognises the significant benefits it will bring to the south Luton community.

“We are firmly of the view this is a positive win win situation for the council and most importantly for the local community.

“Even if you view this as open space you have to consider the public value of it.

“Power Court is not available in a reasonable period of time. Even the developer has publicly acknowledged that.

“We are ready to start on this site in the Spring and the store will be open by Christmas.

“You should not be threatened with judicial review.”