EFL club officially submit application for new 25,000-seater multi-purpose stadium and reveal plan to ‘regenerate’ town

LUTON have applied to build a new stadium more than DOUBLING their 12,000 capacity.

The Hatters formally submitted plans for a multi-purpose venue to help “regenerate” the whole town.

Luton, now back in the Championship after a season in the Premier League, have been at their current Kenilworth Road ground since 1905.

But even in the second tier, the all-seater stadium sits bottom for capacity.

Only newly-promoted Oxford United, whose Kassam Stadium can host 12,500, is anywhere near as small.

Now the Hatters have put in “detailed plans” for a 25,000-capacity venue at Power Court site “in the heart of Luton town centre”.

The club hope the stadium, including a hotel and music venue, will be completed within three years.

The Hatters reckon it will be a “vital catalyst in marking a regenerative era for the town”.

Hatters’ chief executive Gary Sweet claimed the plans mark a “pivotal moment for all supporters, residents and businesses of Luton”.

He called it an “important milestone for everyone who has worked tirelessly and diligently on the project to shape it masterfully into the magnificent building we have presented to the planning officers”.

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Sweet labelled the whole scheme a “gargantuan task”.

And unfortunately for Hatters’ fans, that might also describe the job facing manager Rob Edwards following relegation.

Luton have picked up just one point from their first four Championship games.

But Edwards insists his squad is still full of belief.

He said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Millwall: “It’s not a confidence thing, it’s a concentration thing.”