‘The Stage’ represents the first steps in the city’s town centre master plan.
The project will involve a re-design of the Bute Street Shoppers’ car park into a landmark mixed-use site spanning 1.4 hectares, comprising three buildings.
Included in the scheme will be:
- More than 400 new homes.
- A 1,700 sqm community space.
- A retail and office space.
- A new cycle hub.
- An improved public realm.
The multi-use community hub building will sit to the west of the site, with the ground level exclusive to retail and office space.
The two remaining buildings will be residential, taking the form of a ‘C-shaped’ block and a separate building.
Luton Borough Council’s home development company, Foxhall Homes, intends for 20% of the homes to be affordable rent and ‘starter homes.’
The Stage will also provide a direct link from the train station to the town centre.
Full scope
The council secured £20 million from the Levelling Fund to support the delivery of The Stage.
The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
Long-term, the Stage represents the beginning of Luton’s 15-year master plan, which is a part of the council’s 2040 corporate vision.
Other funding for projects in the master plan include:
- Nearly £1 million match funding from the European Regional Development Fund to open up River Lea and install a pocket park on the old Silver Street Car Park.
- £19.1 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP).
- Nearly £2.8 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, where an undisclosed amount will be directed at the town centre.
Construction Wave contacted Luton Borough Council for further comment.
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