'Mystified' Liberal Democrats call in Luton Council's decision to refuse Hatters' plans for an academy dome at Cutenhoe Road

How the academy dome might look for the Hatters

Liberal Democrat councillors have exercised a rarely used standing order to force a reconsideration of Luton Council’s decision to refuse Luton Town's request for a lease to build a dome for their academy on the playing fields at Cutenhoe Road.

Back in October, the council passed Town’s application for the facility which is essential to the club moving from Category 3 to Category 2 status, allowing them to play in the Premier League’s U23 development games programme.

However they then rejected the decision at a meeting of the Executive on Monday night, despite being advised to pass it, with no formal explanation being given for their decision yet.

Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on the Council, David Franks felt the ruling was 'illogical', while Town chief executive Gary Sweet declared he was 'dumbfounded' by the decision, with both Save Our Town and supporters group Loyal Luton writing letters of complaint to the council, asLuton Town Supporters’ Trust stated they were also 'extremely disappointed.'

A press release from the Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Franks said: "The club had already promised they would be happy for any lease agreement to include unrestricted use of the playing fields by local schools, to accept full responsibility for maintenance of the pitches and said they would pay a commercial rent.

“Having discussed the situation with my colleagues I have to say we are all mystified.

"No reason for the decision has been given, at least not publicly and since the football club offer would benefit local schools, benefit young people interested in a football career, benefit the club itself of course and would produce some income for the Council it is really hard to work out why they would say no.

“The decision to say no is hard to justify so it is only reasonable to give the Labour Council a chance to reconsider.

"The decision now has to be referred to the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Board who will review it.

"The Board does not have the power to change the decision but can refer it back to the Executive Committee for reconsideration or onwards to a meeting of the Full Council with or without a recommendation."