Luton Gateway aims to bring together the local authorities, private enterprise, the third sector and other public agencies to deliver sustainable growth and regeneration for Luton and South Bedfordshire within the identified Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area.
MKSM is one of several growth areas around the country identified by the government as being in a prime position to deliver housing and economic growth which will bring major benefits to the local, regional and UK economy.
Within the MKSM, Luton and South Bedfordshire has a target to deliver an additional 26,000 homes and 19,000 jobs by 2021.
The Luton Gateway will build on the work that is already under way and will housing provision and sustainable growth that is infrastructure- and jobs-led.
Luton Gateway chair David Marlow (pictured), the former chief executive of the East of England Development Agency, told guests at the Gateway launch at Luton Hoo: “I believe that Luton and South Bedfordshire is fantastic example of where growth and regeneration will work together. We will continue to build on work that is already underway and ensure that the Luton Gateway achieves its goals through this collected and co-ordinated multi-agency approach.”
Lutoin Gateway’s priorities include:
- Securing essential key transport improvements and infrastructure for the conurbation of Luton and South Bedfordshire;
- Enabling and driving the delivery of another 26,000 homes to 2021;
- Working to balance this with at least 19,000 jobs by 2021;
- Ensuring timely provision of supporting social, community and green infrastructure to sustain communities for the future;
- Promoting and marketing the area to encourage inward investment and strengthen economic growth.
The launch gave more than 100 guests from across the local and business communities the opportunity to find out more about the organisation and meet the board members.
The Luton Gateway is funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, Luton Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils and supported by EEDA and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Non-executive members have also been appointed to join the board and will join representatives from Luton and Central Bedfordshire Councils, University of Bedfordshire, EEDA, Homes and Communities Agency and the Local Strategic Partnerships.
