Representation by The Mall Luton (The Mall Luton)
- Date submitted
- 22 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
We have been pleased to learn that Luton Rising has submitted its application for the long-term sustainable growth at the airport. We would like to take this opportunity to express support for Luton Rising’s objectives and its application for development consent. The Mall Luton is a community shopping centre that has been the heart of the town for the past fifty years and we are committed to the success of the town centre and its businesses. We want to see an active and vibrant town centre and a stronger local economy. The Town Centre Masterplan and the recent announcement of Levelling Up funding for the town will help with the recovery of the town centre, while the Luton Rising project will help strengthen the town’s economic fundamentals and support local charitable organisations with their unique financial funding to the area. The town’s unemployment rate is higher than regional rates, a figure made worse by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Luton has substantial pockets of deprivation, particularly amongst residents of the town centre. The impact on the local economy of the 10,000 new jobs in Luton and neighbouring counties that the airport expansion would provide, along with the wider economic impacts of more visitors and travellers passing through the airport, would strengthen the town’s whole economy and contribute to the success and ongoing transformation of the town centre. We understand Luton Rising’s plan is to cement the area as a leading hub for green technology, research and finance, which will help deliver Levelling Up in Luton which we would welcome. We therefore particularly welcome the Employment and Training Strategy and its commitments to helping Luton residents take up new, well-paid job opportunities. It is important to note that Luton Rising is serious about growing in a green and sustainable way. The Green Controlled Growth proposals will ensure that any future growth will be sustainable. Under these proposals, Luton Rising intends to set limits for carbon emissions, air quality, noise, and traffic. These will be legally-binding and independently monitored and are important to everyone in the surrounding area. Luton Rising’s objective is to increase the amount of financial support provided to voluntary, community and charitable organisations in Luton. This exceeded £9m in 2019 and has been maintained at £7.4m during the pandemic. Luton Rising has identified how there is the potential for this to increase by an additional £13m per year by the mid-2040s to support neighbouring areas where it is acknowledged there is an impact on communities arising from airport operations. Roy Greening Centre Director on behalf of The Mall Luton & The Fraser Group