If your organisation shares personal data with businesses in the European Economic Area (EEA), you will need to take steps to ensure you continue to comply with data protection laws if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

What is personal data? Personal data refers to any information that can be used to identify a living individual, including a customer’s name, their physical or IP address, or HR functions such as staff working hours and payroll details.

Although the UK’s own data protection standards would remain the same, how personal data is transferred from the EU/EEA to the UK would change. This could affect your organisation.

Therefore, if your organisation receives personal data from organisations in the EU you should consider, with your EEA partners, what changes you may need to make to ensure that data can continue to flow after the exit date. These changes will affect organisations both large and small.

Organisations should as a priority, review whether they would be affected. For those that would be, early action is advisable, given changes may take some time to implement.

Practical advice and support is available at ico.org.uk, including ‘Six Steps to Take’ to help you understand the implications and prepare.

Digital Minister Margot James has issued a reminder to SMEs to ensure that they’ve got plans in place so that they don’t lose access to vital data flows if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Recent research from YouGov has revealed that 26 per cent of SMEs currently receive and store personal data from people within the EEA. It also identified a number of sectors that said data from the EEA is essential to core or secondary functions within their business’ model.

The top sectors included IT and Telecoms (43 per cent), Manufacturing (26 per cent) and Finance and Accounting (25 per cent). Guidance already exists for SMEs to understand how they can prepare and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has produced a six step strategy for companies to follow.

Digital Minister Margot James said: “I know that personal data plays a hugely important role in day to day business. The current uncertainty around Brexit is of great concern and businesses need to take action to limit the risk of potential disruption if no deal were to happen. I would urge all companies to check the Information Commissioner’s Office guidance on their website, and make sure that they are as prepared as possible.”

The Government has already introduced robust new data laws through the 2018 Data Protection Act. This included giving people more power and control over their data and strengthening the powers of the ICO. In the event of a deal, through the Withdrawal Agreement, the government has made plans to secure what is known as a "data adequacy decision" from the EU. This will ensure UK and EU firms can carry on exchanging personal data like they do now.

For more information you can call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

Diners at the Brache pub in Luton were given a heady dose of excitement after a flaming van began rolling down the road on Monday afternoon.

For reasons which remain unclear, the vehicle caught fire on Gipsy Lane shortly after 4pm on the afternoon of Monday, February 25, and began to roll down Osborne Road while covered in flames.

Eyewitnesses said some staff from The Brache bravely attempted to put out the fire from the vehicle with three fire extinguishers, but they were unsuccessful.

Eventually, the flaming van crashed into the garden wall of a neighbouring home on Osborne Road, and firefighters sealed off the area while putting out the flames.

An eyewitness said: “The van exploded and then rolled down the road.

“It ended up in someone’s front garden.

“It careered across the road where cars were waiting to get past, you never see people reverse so quickly! It was very scary.

“I had to get out of the way, it was a rolling fireball!

“[The driver] got out, the Brache tried putting out the fire with three fire extinguishers but it was not going out.”

Emergency services have confirmed that no-one was hurt in the incident.

A Beds Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The incident was originally called in to us as Gypsy Lane, Luton

“We understand the vehicle did end up colliding with the wall of a property in Osborne Road, Luton.

“Crews from Stopsley Community Fire Station attended and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel to extinguish the fire and a scene safety zone was implemented.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman confirmed that the force had also attended the incident but no further action was taken.

A Luton worship ministry worker who fled from his fraud convictions for 17 years has been spared jail after finally being caught.

Alfred David Zulu AKA David Saunders was supposed to appear at Luton Crown Court in July 2001 on two counts of financial fraud.

The charges related to two fraudulent car sales in January 2001, while Zulu was working as a car salesman for Honda in Luton.

Zulu used the details of two elderly victims to claim finance for the purchases – one of whom was living in a care home – and cheated a finance company out of £2,000 before the fraud was unmasked.

Zulu skipped bail while awaiting sentence and hid in plain sight with his wife and three children in Luton – only being caught after routine checks were carried out last year.

He claimed to the court that he has now found God and volunteers as a support worker at Liberty House Worship Ministry in the town. A supporting letter was provided to the court which mispelt the word ‘ministry’.

Last Thursday, at Luton Crown Court, Judge Andrew Bright QC told him: “Sorry if I’m sceptical about the latter, but anyone who is involved in worship ministry and cannot spell ‘ministry’ needs to go back to school.

“I accept on the face of it, you’ve turned your life around.

“You ran off trying to escape justice and of course, I don’t believe a word of what you told the Probation Service about believing the charges were dropped.

“That’s rubbish and you know it.”

Besides his wife’s earnings as an NHS health worker, Zulu claimed his only other income was through a flat he sub-let in Luton.

The court was told that Zambian-born Zulu came to the UK in 1989 and is in the process of applying for indefinite leave to remain. He has a previous conviction for smuggling cannabis at Gatwick Airport in 1997.

Zulu was handed a sentence of nine months in total suspended for two years, as well as 120 hours of unpaid work and £500 towards prosecution costs.

A retired Luton school teacher has published her first book after years of teaching them to children.

Nicky Kemp, wrote the book, All You Should Be, which tracks the lives of three generations of women, after she retired from teaching.

She said: “A couple of years ago, when I retired I decided to write a novel, I had spent so many years teaching books, I decided to write one.

“I went on a creative writing course and I really enjoyed it, it was great to meet so many different people. It took me about a year to write, and now, it is about to be published.”

The former Lea Manor and Denbigh High School teacher enjoyed the challenge of writing a novel herself.

She said: “I wanted to see if I could write a book and it has been one of the hardest things I have done, but I loved it.

“It does take over your life, I would find myself constantly writing or noting down ideas that came to me about the book.

“I have found that it is really difficult to get a book published, especially a fiction book, after speaking to quite a few people I decided to self publish and next time maybe try and take the route of a publisher once I have an audience.”

The 62-year-old who has three grandsons and two granddaughters and is hoping to write a second book.

She will be signing copies of the book at Harpenden Books on Saturday, March 30, from 11am till 1pm. The book will also be available on Amazon.

Nicky added: “I want people to find it to be a really compelling, warming read and I want them to become involved with and believe in the characters.

“I think it is a novel which examines the best and the worst of human behaviours whilst overtly judging neither.”

All You Should Be is available on pre-order from www.ypdbooks.com.

Tributes have been paid to an outspoken former Luton MP who gained a reputation as one of the most controversial politicians of his era.

John Carlisle, who served as Conservative MP for Luton West from 1979-1983 and Luton North from 1983-1997, has died at the age of 76.

Born in Henlow, Bedfordshire, and educated at the Bedford School, Mr Carlisle was a dapper figure who had a successful career in finance before turning to politics in his thirties.

He was an active member of the Conservative Monday Club, which sought to preserve traditional Tory principles.

Mr Carlisle was also well-known for his stunts – once wearing a straw hat in Parliament during a budget discussion – and blazing ‘The Land of Hope and Glory’ from his campaign van during the 1983 general election.

Cllr Michael Garrett, who served as Carlisle’s campaign manager, paid tribute to a “smashing” man.

He said: “He was an absolutely brilliant MP but some members of the public didn’t like him. They accused him of being a racist, which he certainly wasn’t.

“I once had a resident phone up with a Home Office problem and I told her I would contact the MP. She said, ‘Oh, I don’t wan’t to see him, he’s a racist’ but he got it sorted out and she thought he was brilliant.”

Cllr Garrett recalled summer barbeques hosted at the MP’s farm in Henlow, and said Mr Carlisle was much admired by young activists.

He added: “He was a man keen on helping people and keen on promoting the Conservative cause, both of which he did very well.”

As an MP, Mr Carlisle supported capital punishment, flogging and the gun lobby, opposed feminism and LGBT rights, and was a vocal Eurosceptic within the Conservative Party.

Although he claimed not to support apartheid, during a 1987 House of Commons debates, he stated: “The system of apartheid in South Africa has worked in terms of government.” The following year he described Nelson Mandela as a “terrorist”.

In 1991, he attracted headline news as part of a campaign by the Monday Club against Janet Street-Porter’s proposed appointment as the BBC’s head of arts and culture.

Married with two daughters, Mr Carlisle stepped down at the 1997 general election and retired to Seal Chart in Kent, where he died on February 18 of a suspected heart attack.

A Luton teenager has been charged with weapons and driving offences.

Prince Mensah, 18, of Brussels Way, Luton, has been charged with three counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and driving a vehicle where the registration mark fails to conform to regulations.

This was in relation to an incident in Somerset Avenue, Luton on Monday, February 25.

Mensah appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday) where he was remanded in custody pending a future court date.

A woman from Dunstable is inviting mums-to-be to have a pregnancy bump cast to raise money for Keech Hospice Care.

Shaunni Davis is hoping to make 100 bump casts to raise £6,000 for the charity that provides care for adults and children with life limiting conditions and end of life care.

She said: “I’m tasked with doing pregnancy bump casts on 100 women to help raise money for Keech. Women get a private session, I cast her bump with plaster of Paris then finish it off with a design in colours of their choice.

“The money raised will go to Keech, which is close to my heart. My sister died at Keech a few years ago and the care we all received was amazing.

“Please sponsor me by having your pregnancy captured in a beautiful cast to keep for years to come, it is £60 and could the perfect pregnancy gift.”

Shaunni is also organising a Thriller Charity night in October in Dunstable, to raise money for Keech.

She added: “The night will be on Saturday, October 5, and again it will be a celebration of all the local talented performers.

“I’m also doing the challenge again taking a group of non performers and training them to learn a fully choreographed dance routine which they will perform on the night.

“They need no ability to dance and it really helps with self confidence and self esteem. Many that take part do it in memory of special people too which is really healing for them. I’m working on the routines and rehearsals will start soon!”

If you are interested in a pregnancy bump cast or would like to take part in the challenge for the Thriller charity night, call Shaunni on 07910417314 or email: davisshaunni@gmail.com.

The worst hotspots for reports of anti social behaviour in Luton have been revealed.

Data released by the Police.uk website tracks the number of reports of anti social behaviour incidents across the city. This data is based on the latest available information, which tracks reports of anti social behaviour for December 2018 in each area. There were a total of 140 reports of anti social behaviour. Areas listed are a rough guide based on policing districts and images are for illustrative purposes.

A man from Eyeworth has been jailed for eight years for his part in a smuggling ring transporting people across the Channel.

Thomas Mason, 36, of High Street, Eyeworth, was one of the pilots of the boats used to smuggle people in a speedboat via the Kent coast.

He is one of six members of an organised crime group who were sentenced on Wednesday to more than 27 years in prison.

On 3 August 2018, officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), supported by Border Force, the National Crime Agency, and Kent Police, made a number of arrests after a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) carrying migrants arrived at Deal in Kent.

Four Vietnamese nationals were seen leaving the boat, having been smuggled over from France, and walking to a waiting vehicle, at which point they were stopped by police.

As a result of the stop, which came about following surveillance work by ERSOU and a Border Force coastal patrol vessel (CPV), and subsequent investigation, seven people were arrested and charged with conspiracy to facilitate unlawful immigration.

Six of the seven were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday to a total of 27 years and seven months.

During a trial of three of the offenders, which concluded on 22 February, the court heard how the group attempted to facilitate the illegal entry of migrants, predominantly those from Vietnam, from France and Belgium to the UK on a number of occasions between April and August 2018.

One of the migrants who was detained following the interception on 3 August, gave evidence during the trial. He stated that he was promised free accommodation and food in exchange for labour, but did not know what country he was in when he left France or where he was going to, and had to cling onto a strap while in the boat to prevent himself from falling in.

Nazmi Velia, 32, of Park Street Lane, St Albans, and Hoa Thi Nguyen, 49, of Bisterne Avenue, Walthamstow, London, were the ring leaders of the group.

Velia was jailed for five years and four months, while Nguyen received eight years in prison.

Egert Kajaci, 35, of Turn Drive, Oxford, and Mason, were the transporters.

Kajaci’s sentencing was deferred until 18 March.

Erald Gapi, 27, of Abinger Grove, Deptford, Chi Tan Huynh, 41, of Wharf Road, London, and Wayne Lee, 47, of Grasmere Close, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, also played significant roles within the group.

They were jailed for one year and nine months, two and a half years, and two years respectively.

It’s believed the group were facilitating the entry of migrants into the country so that they could then exploit them for labour.

During the sentencing, the Judge commented on how this was a “professional well organised conspiracy, purely motivated by financial gain” and said the group showed a “callous disregard for safety”.

Detective Inspector Trevor Davidson, who led the investigation for ERSOU, said: “This was a complex investigation which came about following intelligence that an organised crime group were using a speedboat to bring migrants from Europe to England. We set up a surveillance operation and witnessed a number of failed attempts by the group to bring people across, before officers caught them landing in Walmer in August with four migrants.

“Not only was the operation highly illegal, the group were putting the lives of the migrants at risk, forcing them to travel without lifejackets in a tiny boat across the Channel at night, for their own financial gain.”

Gordon Scarratt, Head of Border Force Maritime, said: “Since these arrests, further action has been taken. In November Border Force, along with French colleagues, opened the joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais (CCIC) and has now tripled the number of cutters operating in the Channel, enhancing our ability to disrupt those engaged in people smuggling across the Channel.”

Steve Reynolds, Head of the NCA-led INVIGOR organised immigration crime task force, said: “Crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in this type of craft is hugely dangerous, and it demonstrates the complete lack of regard for human life that criminals involved in people smuggling have. To them, desperate migrants are a commodity to be profited from.

“The NCA-led organised immigration crime task force is also working in France, as well as upstream in Europe and further afield, to gather intelligence and disrupt the organised crime groups involved.”

An eighth member of the group, Patrick Ward, 33, of Chennels Close, Hitchin, was prosecuted in Dunkirk, France, for assisting the entry and movement of irregular foreign nationals and received a six-month suspended custodial sentence, a £2,000 fine, and a three-year ban from entering France.

Two members of a jailed Luton drugs gang have been ordered to pay back more than £110,000.

Derrick Fray, 40, and Ryan Kirkpatrick, 36, both of Ella Court, Luton, were sentenced in 2017 following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) into a drugs line based in the town.

The investigation was featured in an episode of ’24 Hours in Police Custody’ last year.

Following a Proceeds of Crime hearing on Friday (22 February) Fray, who was sentenced to five years and four months in the original investigation, was ordered to pay back £75,974.24.

Fellow gang member Kirkpatrick, who also received a jail term of five years and four month in 2017, will have to pay back £41,232.39.

Both men will have three months to pay the funds.

At court, ERSOU’s financial investigators successfully argued that a property and piece of land in Jamaica were ‘hidden assets’ funded by the duo’s drug dealing.

Steve Keating, ERSOU’s financial investigation manager, said: “This sends out a clear message that crime doesn’t pay and we will be relentless in our pursuit of assets obtained from the proceeds of crime.

“Our team has shown great tenacity and dedication to track assets across the globe and ensure this criminal enterprise will not be able to enjoy the fruits of its labour.”

Luton Town’s planned Newlands Park development – which the club says is vital to fund its Power Court stadium plan has been recommended for approval in the officer’s report which has just been published in advance of the Luton Council committee meeting.

The Hatters’ outline application for the site near J10 of the M1 will go before the Development Control Committee at the Town Hall on Monday, March 11, with members being advised by planners to back the scheme, subject to a number of conditions.

The Newlands Park retail/office/leisure scheme – along with the Power Court scheme which was approved by the council on January 16 – were first submitted in August 2016, but there have been countless delays.

Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet has welcomed the landmark Power Court approval, but has said he is anticipating a higher level of resistance when the club’s planning application for Newlands Park goes before the committee.

The Mall owners Capital & Regional have already registered their fierce opposition to Newlands Park, citing the adverse impact on the town centre.

A live online stream of the meeting, which will start at 4pm, is due to be set up once again by Luton Council after more than 3,000 fans tuned in to watch the Power Court debate unfold.

Read more: Luton Town Supporters’ Trust chairman hails ‘fantastic’ Newlands Park news but isn’t get carried away just yet

Read more: ‘Restrictions mean Luton Town’s Newlands Park scheme is unlikely to impact significantly on town centre’

Planning conditions attached to Newlands Park means Luton Town’s scheme is unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on Luton, St Albans and Harpenden town centres, according to the planning officer’s report.

The documentation for the March 11 Luton Council development control committee has been made public this afternoon and recommends approval of the Hatters’ plan, subject to certain conditions.

Those conditions include details of a permitted user list, a no poaching clause, an exclusion list and anchor store; Power Court delivery up to and including podium level; safeguarding land for a park and ride facility; and regulating car parking charges at Newlands Park.

The council report states: “It is considered that with the S106 retail restrictions proposed, the development is unlikely to have significant adverse impact upon the vitality and viability of Luton, St Albans and Harpenden town centres.

“It is considered that the benefits of the proposal outweigh the non-compliance with the development plan and the less than substantial harm to heritage assets.”

Luton Town say the Newlands Park retail/office/leisure scheme near M1 J10 is vital to fund its Power Court stadium plan which was approved by Luton Council in January.

READ MORE: Luton Town’s Newlands Park project is recommended for approval by council officer’s report

The video shows someone holding a teacher's phone, scrolling through her text messages with another teacher, in which two pupils are described as "c***s".

One of the pupils is described as a "f****** c***" while another is called a "CHIEF C***"

It is understood that on Monday, February 25, the teacher had briefly lent her phone to one of the pupils to call home, during which time he found the text messages and recorded a short video.

It is unclear what device was used to record the video. The footage has since been shared multiple times on social media.

In an angry statement posted online, one parent said: "A teacher shared her phone with a student to use and call home. The student happened to see messages pop on notifications with his name, and when he clicked, he saw the chat and recorded it.

"He's extremely hurt and upset. The teachers were referring to the 14-year-old students as 'c***s' in the messages.

"This is senior members of staff using the most disgusting terms to describe our children. The school has failed to act and has covered this up.

"So it is time we took action and remind them that we love our children irrespective of how they are and that this is not what we expect when we send them to school for them to be abused like this."

Responses on social media have been mixed, with some people taking the side of the pupils while others have defended the teachers.

One person wrote: "To talk like that about a child as a teacher to another teacher shows that she has no respect for them or the profession."

But another person commented: "It's a private conversation and it should stay private. Stressful jobs produce this kind of black humour."

Denbigh High School is part of the Chiltern Learning Trust of academies along with several other Luton schools.

Its CEO, Adrian Rogers, said: "We are aware of the incident and subsequent video that has appeared online, and a full investigation is ongoing.

"No matter how rare these incidents might be, we always fully investigate any allegation in line with our disciplinary procedures.

Denbigh High School is an outstanding school with an excellent track record and is unashamedly proud of the high standards it expects from everyone at the school."

The school currently has an 'Outstanding' rating with Ofsted and placed top of the Luton and Bedfordshire progress 8 league tables. It has been placed in the top 1% of schools in the country.

The chairman of Luton Town Supporters’ Trust says it is “fantastic” that Newlands Park has been recommended for approval in the council officer’s report published earlier today.

Reacting to the news that this website first broke just after 1pm, Tony Murray was thrilled but was understandably cautious given the plans still have to okayed by Luton Council’s development control committee on March 11.

The officer’s report says that planning conditions attached to Newlands Park means Luton Town’s scheme is unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on Luton, St Albans and Harpenden town centres.

And Mr Murray said: “I think it is really good news. It’s fantastic but it has still to be passed through the committee a week on Monday. Obviously we’re taking nothing for granted, councillors could object to it, but that’s a very rare occurrence [councillors going against an officer’s recommendation].

“I’m happy but I’ve been a Luton Town supporter long enough, and {you get used to] waiting for something to burst the bubble!”

He feared Mall owners Capital & Regional would seek to get the application called in by the Secretary of State and also seek a Judicial Review in attempt to scupper the development.

But he added: “Overwhelmingly the people of Luton want this and the town needs it. I just hope Capital & Regional take the opportunity to get on board. They need to get with the programme or get out of town. By objecting they are increasing the costs to the local taxpayer. They need to see this for the opportunity it is.”

Luton Town say the Newlands Park retail/office/leisure scheme near M1 J10 is vital to fund its Power Court stadium plan which was approved by Luton Council in January.

Read more: Luton Town’s Newlands Park project is recommended for approval by council officer’s report

A man has been left with serious head injuries following an attack in Luton.

A male in his 40s from Hertfordshire was found lying in the street in Grove Road at around 2.15pm yesterday (Wednesday).

He had suffered serious head injuries. The man remains in a critical condition in Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Detective Inspector Mark Pugh, investigating, said: “This appears to have been a nasty attack in broad daylight which has left the victim with significant injuries.

“The man was found in a residential area and there may be people in the vicinity who witnessed the attack or events that led up to it.

“We are doing all we can to catch those responsible and would urge anyone with information about the incident, who was in the area and saw or heard anything to please get in touch and help us with our enquiries.

“People can also report information anonymously if they would prefer to do so.”

If you have information that could help police with their enquiries then please call 101 or visit the force’s online reporting centre.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

It seems fitting that the key component to delivering Luton Town Football Club’s new stadium should be a site once proposed for the ambitious Kohlerdome scheme.

A location for Kenilworth Road’s successor always appeared destined to be somewhere close to the M1, with out-of-town grounds seen as the desirable solution.

But there are pros and cons to these modern stadiums, which have come to be viewed as rather remote and liable to increase traffic.

So 2020 Developments, the company behind the football club, spread its net far and wide in the hunt for a suitable parcel of land in the town.

Their search ended at Power Court, where their vision for football in Bedfordshire for the 21st Century was approved by Luton planners in January.

Now for the second stage of that dream, with all eyes focused on the enabling development, Newlands Park, and the potential for a new gateway to Luton.

Hugging the M1 by junction ten, the land itself appears to lack specific appeal, but it is within a stone’s throw of the Luton Hoo estate and Stockwood Park.

The Newlands Park site has been allocated for mixed-use development since the mid-1990s, according to a report to the borough council’s development control committee released earlier today [click here].

“This allocation originated when the council identified the site as its preferred location for a new football stadium for the club,” says the report.

“An outline application was made for a multi-use indoor stadium and hotel, leisure and education facilities with car parking and park and ride facilities (known as the Kohlerdome Scheme) in April 1995.

“And an application for a multi-use stadium, arena and hotel, retail and petrol filling station facilities, also with car parking and a park and ride facility, was submitted in September 1995.

“Both of these applications were called in by the Secretary of State and were refused planning permission on highway grounds in August 1998.”

Now the project adopts a different theme with:

office development of up to 42,000sqm of floorspace;

up to 13,000sqm of hotel (maximum 350 beds);

up to 16,000sqm of leisure floorspace;

up to 37,000sqm of comparison retail floorspace;

up to 300sqm of convenience retail floorspace;

up to 8,500sqm of food and drink floorspace;

up to 8,500sqm of retail/leisure servicing and ancillary floorspace;

between 3,000 – 3,600 car parking spaces;

and associated access, highways, utilities, public realm, landscaping and associated ancillary works and structures.

The report to borough councillors says: “The application seeks outline planning permission for a mixed-use development.

“It will consist of a leisure hub, along with retail, entertainment, hotel, conference centre and offices, as well as public open space.”

The economic benefits included the equivalent of around 9,000 full-time jobs, according to the applicant.

Newlands Park will contribute a gross value of around of £235m annually to the Luton economy between 2020 and 2040, say 2020 Developments.

“It will help claw back retail expenditure leaking to other centres to help Luton compete with the significant new retail development at Houghton Regis, Milton Keynes and Watford,” adds 2020.

And it will create that gateway into Luton, close to London Luton Airport, the M1 and Luton itself, helping “support the wider regeneration of the area”.

But not everyone is happy at this prospect, not least property and assets firm Capital and Regional, the owners of The Mall in Luton town centre.

The company objects to the Newlands Park scheme, claiming the site should be used for a football stadium, and that the planned use will detract from and take business away from its shopping centre.

It also claims that the Power Court site could accommodate several aspects the enabling development project.

The firm is not alone in protesting against Newlands Park.

Milton Keynes Council “objects to the proposal on the basis that the applicant’s assessment has failed to take into account the latest available data from a MKC retail capacity and leisure study”.

And the concept “may be underestimating the impact of the proposal on shopping centres outside Luton borough and the centre of Milton Keynes”.

Houghton Regis Development Consortium also objects, saying “the development is contrary to the principles of the development plan”.

Central Bedfordshire Council says the application “does not show an acceptable relationship with Luton Hoo or the listed buildings at Slip End.

“Further information is required as part of the Environmental Statement in order to conclude on the proposal in this regard.

“And appropriate measures should be put in place as part of any planning permission to avoid any uncontrolled overspill parking within Central Bedfordshire.”

There are other concerns to oversome as well, not least those of Historic England and the archaeological issues.

On the latter, the report says: “There was no objection in principle.

“But concern was expressed that there was not enough information on the impact of the development proposals on the archaeological resource to provide advice on how best to mitigate that impact of the development.

“The application has failed to show that appropriate analysis of the impact of the development on heritage assets (specifically the potential Palaeolithic resource) has been undertaken and has not set out how any impacts may be mitigated.”

Meanwhile, Historic England “continues to object to the application on heritage grounds, as it would result in a severe degree of harm to Luton Hoo”.

Many months have been spent examining the plans in detail and resulting in some changes to the local planning layout.

These include: “The deletion of the provision of a football stadium and supporting enabling ancillary uses at Junction 10a, the retention of B1 business park and the park and ride allocation.

“There is also new policy which deals with the review of the Local Plan, which specifically refers to the relocation of Luton Town Football Club and uses and policies relating to the strategic allocation at land south of Stockwood Park.”

“The site is a prime gateway into Luton which is identified as a strategic allocation in the Local Plan.

“It is a site which has been allocated since 1997 and hasn’t come forward for development,” explains the report.

“Of particular note is the quantum of retail development.

“Significant weight should be given to the impact of the proposed level of retail on the vitality and viability of existing town centres within Luton and neighbouring authorities.

“This should consider not only current provision, but also planned investment and regeneration objectives including the key regeneration area of Luton town centre between the railway station and The Mall.

“The sequential test will need to be carefully considered to demonstrate that the proposal meets the requirements set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

“In summary, the proposals on land south of Stockwood Park raise some significant concerns particularly focusing on potential adverse town centre impacts.

“These will have to be weighed carefully against the benefits of bringing forward a site that could attract investment and create a prestigious southern gateway into Luton.”

The plans have been recommended for approval and will be considered by the borough council’s development control committee on Monday, March 11.

A man has been charged with burglary, drugs and driving offences.

Dayne Brimble, 28, of Copenhagen Close, Luton, has been charged after being arrested by officers on Tuesday.

He was charged with:

Possession of a Class A drug, namely crack cocaine

Burglary dwelling

Aggravated vehicle taking where damage caused was under £5,000

Driving a motor vehicle dangerously

Using a motor vehicle on a road / public place without third party insurance

He appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday) and was remanded in custody, pending a future appearance at Luton Crown Court.

The Hatters’ outline application for the site near J10 of the M1 will go before the Development Control Committee at the Town Hall on Monday, March 11, with members being advised by planners to back the scheme, subject to a number of conditions.

Although understandably thrilled by the outcome, the Hatters' board, who saw a new stadium at Power Court given the green light in January too, knows there is still plenty to do before they can begin fully celebrating.

A club statement said: "Luton Town Football Club and 2020 Developments are delighted by Thursday’s news that Luton Council’s planning officer’s report has given a positive recommendation for consent for our plans to build a mixed-use development at Newlands Park.

"This is great news, of course, but it must be stressed that it is only encouraging at this stage as we prepare for the second leg of the council planning committee meeting double header on Monday 11th March.

"At that point, the planning committee will hear comments from both sides before reaching a local resolution on the application for the development that will serve as a gateway to the town, improving the perception and standing of Luton across the country and internationally.

"Newlands Park is crucial commercially for our new stadium in the town centre – for which we were historically granted approval in January – to be built at Power Court.

"The two sets of plans were submitted in August 2016 but our enthusiasm and commitment for both schemes has never wavered and we are clear in the opinion that Newlands Park can make a tremendous positive contribution to the town’s vitality and local economy, both in real terms with thousands of new jobs created and also in the way it generates many millions of pounds each year for the borough.

"We are, of course, delighted to have got this far and thank everyone for their support and patience.

"This will continue to be needed as there is a lot of work still to do even if the committee approve plans, as we will still have to wait some time before we discover whether the Secretary of State will call the Newlands Park project in for judicial review.

"But for now, as we look forward to some exciting fixtures both on and off the pitch, let’s reflect on how much positive hope about our future we can have as Hatters!"

Campaign group #saveourtown have labelled the decision by Luton Borough Council's planning officer's to recommend that 2020 Developments proposals for a mixed use scheme at Newlands Park are approved as a 'big step'.

The Luton News revealed yesterday that the development control committee have been advised to back the scheme for the site at junction 10 of the M1 when it goes before them on Monday, March 11.

The Hatters already have secured planning permission for a new 17,500 stadium at Power Court, with both applications expected to bring over 10,000 new jobs and £250million a year for the local economy.

Nigel Green chairman of #saveourtown said: “This is absolutely excellent news but to put it into context it’s just another step along the path.

"We’re not there yet because the planning development control committee haven’t met yet but it is another big step along the way and it’s good news.

"There are no guarantees but it would be highly unusual if it was turned down.

“This is not just about football. This is about the redevelopment of our town which is sadly in need of regeneration.

"This opportunity has been presented to the council. It’s a golden opportunity a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it will turn the town around.

“Property prices are rising here developers are building flats as fast as they can the airport is growing and there’s a new DART link being built from Parkway Station up to the airport. Luton is on the way up and this is going to be a great place to live.

“The town is going to look fantastic and it will be a fantastic place to live work and play.

"It is the missing link. It will come in and this will be a great place. I can’t wait for all of this to get up and running.”

Taxi firm Ola has been given permission to expand its service, based on mobile phone technology, into Luton.

The company, a rival to Uber, was granted a private hire operator’s licence by the borough council’s licensing sub-committee.

Ola UK Private Limited intends to operate an App-based booking platform for taxi services with local private hire vehicles and hackney carriage vehicles.

The firm will have an office at Capability Green, having started its UK operations in South Wales, Bristol and Exeter.

One of the taxi company’s representatives Darryl Supersad told the sub-committee the firm is planning to extend its operation to every city in the UK.

It will use local private hire drivers and vehicles, similar to Uber, and also include black cabs across the whole market, he said.

Ola would be using standard taxis for the moment, but plans to use electric vehicles in the future to provide taxi services.

The company plans to provide executive services in six to eight months to and from London Luton Airport, the licensing sub-committee heard.

Drivers and vehicles used would all be licensed by the council, with the cabbies self-employed.

Bookings would be web-based only, and the website would provide phone numbers to deal with support and complaints.

Ola is looking at employing 100 to 500 drivers and vehicles initially, but hopes to increase to 2,000 in the long-term.

The firm has a complaint management system and would take any driver issues raised seriously, the sub-committee was told.

Passengers and taxi drivers have to register via the app, so payments are made digitally at the end of a trip, rather than direct to the driver.

All payments will be made by credit or debit cards only, with no cash changing hands.

Drivers would not be required to work exclusively for Ola, but records would be kept of all their activities for the company.

Bookings within the Luton would be given to local drivers, but cross border journeys, such as from Luton to Manchester Airport, may be offered to an Ola driver from outside the town where appropriate.

The sub-committee decided to grant the application for the operator’s licence, with exemptions to the current council policy over keeping records electronically instead of in a handwritten bound book.

It also requested that the application for licence renewal should be reviewed in full by a panel, instead of by the licensing service under delegated authority.

The borough council licences 35 taxi operators, 170 hackney carriages and 945 private hire vehicles.