Developers are threatening to demolish the Victorian Villa (formerly the Lansdowne Club) and replace it with an 11-storey block of flats. Word is that Luton Borough Council planning officers are about to agree to their application as the case comes up for discussion at the Development Control Committee on March 24th. What is more, we gather that officers are of the opinion that all three remaining villas (Lansdowne, Leaside Hotel, Hope Church) are "of no heritage value" - providing an open invitation for future developers to bring in the bulldozers.   

Luton Heritage Forum feels that this decision will be disastrous for the Luton skyline at such an important strategic location for the town. An 18-storey modern building - with 1/3 one-bedroom flats - will be completely out of place and detract from the historic villas on either side. Taking their cue from paid heritage consultants operating out of Cirencester, these so-called experts have completely under-valued these much-loved buildings. For the past 150 years they have stood as prime examples of Victorian prestige residencies, housing some of the town's greatest industrialists and civic leaders. 

We invite Luton Council to think again. The Lansdowne Club has ugly extensions that can easily be demolished whilst retaining the original house. The large car park area could be developed to incorporate the villa given a sympathetic and imaginative design.