Multi-million pound Luton scheme gets the green light

Planning permission has been granted for the £300M Napier Gateway leisure and residential scheme in Luton.

The scheme will comprise 685 residential apartments, hotel complex including banqueting facilities, medical centre, public realm retail and leisure piazza, public park and landscaping throughout.

Known as Napier Gateway the development is set to include an iconic 65m-tall 22-storey tower, which will make it Luton’s tallest building.

Javed Hussain, Managing Director of Developer J2 Global Corporation said: “After years of planning we couldn’t be happier to get the go-ahead to deliver this iconic project.

“Located on the former Vauxhall site on the edge of the town centre, just across the road from Luton Airport Parkway station, it couldn’t be better placed for those that will live, work and visit here.

“Napier Gateway will help transform the town into an out-of-London hotspot, with a mixture of private sale and affordable homes, as well as modern buildings and facilities to attract new businesses, which in turn will bring hundreds of new jobs to the area.”

Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Council, said: “The decision to grant the Napier Park planning application heralds a fantastic start to 2017 as Luton’s exciting £1.5bn investment framework continues to gather momentum.

“The mixed-use scheme of a hotel, leisure, retail and homes on the former Vauxhall site demonstrates both the town’s ambition and its ability to attract huge investment opportunities.

“We are especially delighted that nearly one tenth of accommodation to be built on this brownfield site will be for social housing, underlining our commitment to tackle the housing crisis facing so much of the country.

“In addition, its proximity to the town’s continually improving transport links will make it an attractive location for our increasingly skilled workforce and businesses seeking to invest in the town.”