Campaign for Sustainable Harlington -opposing a stadium and commercial development at Junction 12, preserving the Greenbelt and the character of the village
THE LATEST NEWS - to go straight to item, click on title of report
Goodmans withdraw planning applications
Loyal Luton Supporters Club express reservations about proposed stadium site
Nadine Dorries, MP offers Support To CAST & CASH
Luton go into administration and suffer 10-point deduction
Luton and agents hit with charges from FA
Junction 10 is still a viable stadium site - letter to Luton News from Angela Jennings, for Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd
MP Nadine Dorries gives Harlington resident her views on J12.
Stadium plans delayed - An announcement from LTFC chairman, David Pinkney, states that the planning application may now not be ready until January 2008
Center Parcs is approved - will it affect the stadium development?
The new Magna Park warehousing development at Junction 13 has planning consent for 3.4 million square feet.
Goodmans withdraw planning applications
The game’s not over yet. You will have read in the press that Goodman, the developer of the proposed J12 development has withdrawn the second of its planning applications, the one for the stadium and warehousing development.
Their press release stated:
‘Goodman, the developers of the proposal to relocate Luton Town Football Club to Junction 12 of the M1, has decided to withdraw its planning application to South Beds District Council. The withdrawal results from the current inability to overcome concerns expressed by the Highways Agency on the grounds of insufficient information within the proposal for it to assess its impact on the M1 motorway. In addition the withdrawal allows Goodman time to prepare responses to the submissions of parties consulted by the Local Planning Authority.
In December 2007, the Highways Agency postponed the proposed Public Inquiry required in connection with its potential widening of the M1 between Junctions 10-13. This postponement was to enable further traffic modelling work to be undertaken and until it has concluded this work, Goodman is not able to provide the required information in the form of its revised traffic assessment.
Goodman remains committed to the scheme and the proposal to the football club and discussions continue with Luton 2020 Ltd, the new owners of the football club, which is conducting its own independent review of potential alternative locations for the club.’
Where does this leave us? Well, it’s good news for the time being, but the threat of this development hasn’t gone away, so it’s business as usual for CaSH. Goodman has stated they remain committed to the scheme. We and our partners in Toddington (CAST) also remain committed to opposing it.
Until it is confirmed that this planning application has been withdrawn for good, nothing changes really except the timing. This, or any similar type of scheme they may come back with, is an unsustainable, land hungry, inappropriate development that will destroy this precious Green Belt and the fabric of this community.
Funds raised to oppose this development remain in a dedicated bank account and will be used to try and stop this development or anything similar on this piece of land.
Loyal Luton Supporters Club express reservations about proposed stadium site
The Chairman of LLSC has made the following statements re the new stadium:
"We all agree that a new stadium is needed to cement our future, however, we need to make sure it is in the best location for the Club and the fans in the long-term. In our modest opinion this can only be determined by way of an independent feasibility study."
"Our firm view at this stage is that we will only support bids proposed to the administrator that are not associated to specific land options."
Nadine Dorries, MP offers Support To CAST & CASH
On Friday 23rd November 2007 Nadine met with representatives of local residents organisations CASH (Campaign for a Sustainable Harlington) and CAST, (Campaign for a Sustainable Toddington) to add her support in their campaigns against controversial proposals for Luton Town FC to pull out of the town and relocate to Junction 12 of the M1. Those who attended the meeting were South Bedfordshire District Councillor for Toddington and Chairman of CAST, Cllr John Machin; Chairman of CASH, Mike Benner, and Chairman of the Toddington Residents' Association, John Bryant.
Nadine said, "I am extremely impressed with the professional way in which CASH & CAST are leading the campaign against controversial proposals to relocate Luton Town FC. I am offering my full support to both these organisations and have encouraged to get even more signatures to their petition, which I will present to Parliament in the new year. Local residents must make sure their voice is heard and I will continue working with them in their interests.
The relocation of Luton Town to Junction 12 would have a major impact on the quality of life for many of those who live in Harlington and Toddington. Despite much speculation in the local media about these proposals, at present we have yet to see any detailed plans as to what may be proposed for this site.
In March of this year Rosemound Developments Limited announced they had signed an agreement with Cliff Bassett, owner of a 250 acre site at Old Park Farm, near to Harlington (south of Junction 12 of the M1) to provide a new 25,000 seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club, (LTFC). I believe it is important to bear in mind, that under the current proposals, the relocation of the LTFC is only a proportion of what is being considered for this site; included with the proposals are substantial plans to build four large warehouses/distribution centres alongside the new stadium. The totality of what is currently envisaged goes far beyond just proposals for a new football stadium and therefore the plans should be considered in this far wider context.
Whilst I remain sympathetic to Luton Town Football Club’s ambitions to build a new stadium to help them realise their goal to reach the top flight of English football, I am extremely concerned as to the viability of re-locating to Junction 12. In particular I am concerned with the size and scale of the proposed development and the impact this would have on the local environment. Any additional traffic – whether it be caused by visitors to the stadium or lorries at the warehouses/distribution centres would affect the quality of life for residents in the villages of Harlington, Toddington and Westoning.
In light of these concerns, I am in principle totally opposed to the relocation of LTFC to Junction 12 and believe further consideration should be made of alternative sites - this should include a full assessment as to what opportunities there may be to keep Luton Town FC within the town of Luton itself. For example, the Kenilworth Road area of Luton would benefit from significant regeneration and should be properly considered in any proposals for a new stadium. LTFC should also re-visit proposals for Junction 10, particularly in light of Luton Airport’s decision to withdraw plans for a second runway. An earlier proposal to re-locate to Junction 11A should also be re-considered too.
Neither Rosemound or their partners have yet to submit a planning application for this site, although I was previously under the impression that by late Autumn 2007 a proposal was to be formally lodged with South Bedfordshire District Council. As and when such an application is submitted, I will examine it in great detail and make appropriate representations to the Planners to express my total opposition to the relocation of LTFC to Junction 12. I would encourage all those who have taken an interest in this issue to make representations on this matter also. The application will then be determined by the Joint Planning and Transportation Committee, JPTC (a joint body with representatives from South Beds District Council and Luton Borough Council), although I suspect that an application of this size would be ‘called in’ by the Secretary of State and subject to a public inquiry."
Luton go into administration and suffer 10-point deduction
League One side Luton Town have been deducted 10 points after being placed into administration. The penalty leaves them at the foot of the table on nine points and seven points from safety.
The directors of the club decided to appoint administrators as a result of the Hatters' decreasing income.
"This will give the club breathing space and an opportunity to restructure its finances," said Brendan Guilfoyle of administrators The P&A Partnership.
Luton are looking for prospective buyers to put proposals to the creditors before end December 2007.
In order for the club to continue trading in the short term, chairman David Pinkney has agreed to fund trading losses until the conclusion of a sales process.
"This is a sad day for me personally, I have only ever had the long-term future of Luton Town Football Club at heart," said Pinkney.
"Changing circumstances and the potential huge liabilities surrounding the club have presented me with no alternative but to place the club into the hands of the administrator.
"As a further commitment to the supporters and the future of the club, I have however, decided to fund the overheads of the club throughout the sale process without any guarantee of recovering these moneys.
"I sincerely hope a potential purchaser can be found to take on Luton Town Football Club and secure its future."
Luton and agents hit with charges from FA
The FA's investigation into Luton began in March
The Football Association has issued more than 50 charges in connection with alleged breaches of rules at Luton Town, after an extensive investigation.
The charges relate to player transfers and contract renegotiations between July 2004 and February 2007.
The club, former chairman Bill Tomlins, ex-finance director Derek Peter and current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot have been charged.
Six licensed players' agents have also been charged.
The investigation, which began in March this year, found that payments made to the six agents, totalling about £160,000, by the club's holding company Jayten (also known as J10) Stadium Limited were not disclosed to the FA on the required forms.
The six agents have been charged with accepting payments from Jayten for their services to the club in securing the services of players.
In addition, it has been alleged that services for the benefit of a Luton player, totalling approximately £7,000, were paid for directly by Jayten but were not disclosed on the player's contract.
Sky Andrew, one of the six agents charged, was quick to play down the allegations.
Andrew, who is agent to a number of Premiership stars including Sol Campbell, Jermaine Pennant and Jermain Defoe, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "People mustn't blow this out of proportion, there's no question that irregular payments were made to officials or anyone like that.
"It's purely to do on our side with technical breaches on paperwork, which will come to light.
"We've spoken to the FA and the FA have conducted an investigation into dealings there - and it's only right they conduct their investigations and they've got rules in place and then they hand out charges to people.
"In our case it's just a technical breach of paperwork."
The charges follow an FA investigation after former Luton manager Mike Newell claimed in early 2006 that illegal payments in the game were rife.
"Ultimately it vindicates me of the stance I made," Newell told BBC 5 Live.
"I think as a manager of a football club, you have a duty to the supporters to make people aware of things like this.
"It was said over the last seven or eight months that there wasn't a time when I thought maybe it was the wrong thing to do because it's cost me my job. But ultimately this proves it was the right stance."
The full charges are as follows:
Luton Town have 17 charges, relating to payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations which were allegedly made through Jayten, rather than through the club as required by FA rules.
The Hatters have also been charged with provision of misleading information to the FA, not holding representation contracts with the relevant agents for the above negotiations, and dealing with two unlicensed agents (both through Jayten and directly).
Former chairman Bill Tomlins has been handed 15 charges. It is alleged that he was directly involved in 19 of the rule breaches listed above (except negotiations with two unlicensed agents which were not conducted through Jayten).
Former finance director Derek Peter is alleged to have approved payments made by Jayten in relation to the nine player negotiations.
Current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot are charged with failing to report the alleged rule breaches to the FA when they became aware of them.
Licensed players' agents Sky Andrew, Mike Berry, Mark Curtis, Stephen Denos, David Manasseh and Andrew Mills are each charged with failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to above negotiations.
All parties have until 30 November to respond to the charges.
Luton issued a statement on their website, stating that "at this point in time the club has no comment to make on these allegations".
There is no indication yet as to what punishments might be enforced if the charges were proved.
BBC Radio 5 Live sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar pointed out that the FA's investigation had been triggered by Tomlins when he resigned in April after admitting making irregular payments to agents on three separate occasions.
Farquhar said: "In a statement at the time, the club said Tomlins had approached the FA earlier in the year to clarify certain matters relating to the club.
"He also told the BBC he made the payments from the club's holding company but was at pains to point out that he made no private gain himself.
"He admitted he did the wrong thing at the time but also pointed out he contacted the FA personally to report what had gone wrong.
"It's also important to mention that the manager at the time Mike Newell made a number of allegations following his dismissal the month previous to Bill Tomlin's disappearance.
"And also another director, Martin King, resigned in the wake of the manager's departure, saying he was concerned with a number of issues and not just the one to sack Newell at the time."
Junction 10 is still a viable stadium site - letter to Luton News from Angela Jennings, for Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd
I must correct the false impression given by Luton Town chairman David Pinkney regarding the potential siting of a new stadium for Luton Town FC.
Mr Pinkney stated (News/Gazette, October 3rd) that 'for reasons that we know for certain but cannot discuss publicly, the Junction 10 option is no longer viable'.
This is entirely incorrect. Sheila and Mike watson-Challis of Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd remain determined to honour their promise to the club's supporters by submitting a planning application for a new stadium on their land at Junction 10 early in 2008.
Despite Mr Pinkney's comments to the contrary there is absolutely no evidence that the junction 10 site is no longer viable and every reason to believe that a new stadium at Junction 10 is eminently achievable.
Luton Town supporters will be interested to know that the development of any potential stadium site must, as part of their planning application, demonstrate that they have explored all alternatiuve sites in the area and proven them to be unsuitable.
Mr Pinkney will therefore soon need to provide evidence to substantiate the claims he has made regarding the viability of the Junction 10 site.
In turn, based on our extensive and in-depth knowledge of the site, we are confident we can demonstrate that J10 is not only viable but also the most appropriate, convenient and popular location for the new stadium.
The Junction 10 site has long been identified in the Local Plan as the site for a new stadium and, as your newspaper's own survey confirmed, the overwhelming majority of the club's supporters would much prefer the stadium to be sited at Junction 10 rather than Junction 12.
Mr Pinkney is therefore entirely incorrect to claim that the Junction 12 site is 'the last and only available site' and 'the only realistic option'.
Luton Town FC supporters would therefore do well to question Mr Pinkney's negative comments regarding the J10 site.
Based on information which we have received but are presently unable to divulge, Mr Pinkney's current stance appears to be prompted by an agreement which precludes him from considering any site other than Junction 12 for the time being.
Could this be the reason why he is so keen to publicly dismiss the viability of the Junction 10 site, despite the fact that the club's supporters - the supporters on whom the club depends - have overwhelmingly voted in favour of Junction 10?
MP Nadine Dorries gives Harlington resident her views on J12. Read them here.
Stadium plans delayed - An announcement from LTFC chairman, David Pinkney, states that the planning application may now not be ready until January 2008
Chairman reveals Luton stadium delay - Junction 12 planning application not likely until January
Hatters chairman David Pinkney has revealed that a planning application for a new stadium at Junction 12 has been delayed by several months.
Upon officially completing his takeover of the club in July, Pinkney had hoped the plans for the site would be submitted around October, but now it may not be until early January before the proposals are unveiled. The hold-up has been caused by the developers behind the project fine tuning the application and Pinkney said it was important to be patient.
The chairman, who foresees Town taking possession of the new ground during the 2009/10 season, explained: "I know the big question for fans is the new stadium and the long-awaited planning application. It is taking longer than we wanted to make the application. But our developer partner Goodmans (formerly Rosemound), are extremely prudent and are making sure that all boxes are ticked to minimise any potential call-in. When I took over in July, I expected the planning application to be going in around October, but I have had to be patient, because it's a massive undertaking that will protect and enhance our long-term future. It's now expected to be closer to the year-end, or could even spill over into early January. Getting it right is the quickest way in the long run."
Pinkney insisted the club has looked at all the options for housing a 25,000-seater stadium in the area with the motorway access that was essential. "For reasons that we know for certain, but can't discuss publicly, the Junction 10 option is no longer viable. Anyway, I look at Junction 11 as being realistically central to Luton with the hospital there, especially when a planned massive housing development is scheduled as part of the Government's Growth area for the region on the northern outskirts of the Town.
"It's a fact that if you go north and south from 11, the distances to Junctions 10/10A and 12 are not much more than a mile different. He said: "Junction 12 will be enlarged and improved when the motorway is widened to 10 lanes, circa 2010, the site also has a direct rail
link too and it has become the only realistic option.
"We now have a set of plans we are enthusiastic about. We think they'll be really exciting for our supporters. I think we will be lucky to get into the stadium for the start of the 2009/10 season, but would expect to take possession of it during that season. It all hangs on how long the planning consent takes to come through. Rest assured the build will start just as soon as we gain planning approval."
Pinkney called on fans to unite to help move the club forward.
He said: "All in all it's a tough call for Luton Town at the moment. We need everyone's support to get the club back up where it belongs. We were a founder of the Premier League, but have never played in it. Look at the gap now, that's how far we have fallen – all because no decisions have been made on relocation." He added: "Everyone within the area needs to pull together before our last and only available local site could also be lost.
"If we miss this opportunity, it could be between Junctions 8 to 14 for Luton Town."
See the CaSH press release in response to this news
Center Parcs is approved - will it affect the stadium development?
Center Parcs has been given the go-ahead to build a new 700 cottage holiday park at Warren Wood, between Flitwick and Steppingley.
On the one hand, this is greenbelt land and the Secretary of State for Commuities and Local Government, Hazel Blears overturned the decision to disallow this development. This sets a precedent.
On the other hand, there will be questions as to whether the M1 and local roads will be able to cope with the traffic generated by this development and a massive football stadium. 90% of visitors to Center Parcs will come from the south, many leaving the motorway at J12.
The new Center Parcs village will apparently also offer a sports hall, 75 bedroom hotel and conference centre. These are similar to facilities being offered by the stadium developers. Surely there isn't the demand for the same facilities at both developments?
The new Magna Park warehousing development at Junction 13 has planning consent for 3.4 million square feet.
Is another 2.2 million sq ft at J12 viable? Is there demonstrable demand? The J13 site is described as being 200 acres, the same total size as the proposed J12 development.
Goodmans withdraw planning applications
Loyal Luton Supporters Club express reservations about proposed stadium site
Nadine Dorries, MP offers Support To CAST & CASH
Luton go into administration and suffer 10-point deduction
Luton and agents hit with charges from FA
Junction 10 is still a viable stadium site - letter to Luton News from Angela Jennings, for Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd
MP Nadine Dorries gives Harlington resident her views on J12.
Stadium plans delayed - An announcement from LTFC chairman, David Pinkney, states that the planning application may now not be ready until January 2008
Center Parcs is approved - will it affect the stadium development?
The new Magna Park warehousing development at Junction 13 has planning consent for 3.4 million square feet.
Goodmans withdraw planning applications
The game’s not over yet. You will have read in the press that Goodman, the developer of the proposed J12 development has withdrawn the second of its planning applications, the one for the stadium and warehousing development.
Their press release stated:
‘Goodman, the developers of the proposal to relocate Luton Town Football Club to Junction 12 of the M1, has decided to withdraw its planning application to South Beds District Council. The withdrawal results from the current inability to overcome concerns expressed by the Highways Agency on the grounds of insufficient information within the proposal for it to assess its impact on the M1 motorway. In addition the withdrawal allows Goodman time to prepare responses to the submissions of parties consulted by the Local Planning Authority.
In December 2007, the Highways Agency postponed the proposed Public Inquiry required in connection with its potential widening of the M1 between Junctions 10-13. This postponement was to enable further traffic modelling work to be undertaken and until it has concluded this work, Goodman is not able to provide the required information in the form of its revised traffic assessment.
Goodman remains committed to the scheme and the proposal to the football club and discussions continue with Luton 2020 Ltd, the new owners of the football club, which is conducting its own independent review of potential alternative locations for the club.’
Where does this leave us? Well, it’s good news for the time being, but the threat of this development hasn’t gone away, so it’s business as usual for CaSH. Goodman has stated they remain committed to the scheme. We and our partners in Toddington (CAST) also remain committed to opposing it.
Until it is confirmed that this planning application has been withdrawn for good, nothing changes really except the timing. This, or any similar type of scheme they may come back with, is an unsustainable, land hungry, inappropriate development that will destroy this precious Green Belt and the fabric of this community.
Funds raised to oppose this development remain in a dedicated bank account and will be used to try and stop this development or anything similar on this piece of land.
Loyal Luton Supporters Club express reservations about proposed stadium site
The Chairman of LLSC has made the following statements re the new stadium:
"We all agree that a new stadium is needed to cement our future, however, we need to make sure it is in the best location for the Club and the fans in the long-term. In our modest opinion this can only be determined by way of an independent feasibility study."
"Our firm view at this stage is that we will only support bids proposed to the administrator that are not associated to specific land options."
Nadine Dorries, MP offers Support To CAST & CASH
On Friday 23rd November 2007 Nadine met with representatives of local residents organisations CASH (Campaign for a Sustainable Harlington) and CAST, (Campaign for a Sustainable Toddington) to add her support in their campaigns against controversial proposals for Luton Town FC to pull out of the town and relocate to Junction 12 of the M1. Those who attended the meeting were South Bedfordshire District Councillor for Toddington and Chairman of CAST, Cllr John Machin; Chairman of CASH, Mike Benner, and Chairman of the Toddington Residents' Association, John Bryant.
Nadine said, "I am extremely impressed with the professional way in which CASH & CAST are leading the campaign against controversial proposals to relocate Luton Town FC. I am offering my full support to both these organisations and have encouraged to get even more signatures to their petition, which I will present to Parliament in the new year. Local residents must make sure their voice is heard and I will continue working with them in their interests.
The relocation of Luton Town to Junction 12 would have a major impact on the quality of life for many of those who live in Harlington and Toddington. Despite much speculation in the local media about these proposals, at present we have yet to see any detailed plans as to what may be proposed for this site.
In March of this year Rosemound Developments Limited announced they had signed an agreement with Cliff Bassett, owner of a 250 acre site at Old Park Farm, near to Harlington (south of Junction 12 of the M1) to provide a new 25,000 seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club, (LTFC). I believe it is important to bear in mind, that under the current proposals, the relocation of the LTFC is only a proportion of what is being considered for this site; included with the proposals are substantial plans to build four large warehouses/distribution centres alongside the new stadium. The totality of what is currently envisaged goes far beyond just proposals for a new football stadium and therefore the plans should be considered in this far wider context.
Whilst I remain sympathetic to Luton Town Football Club’s ambitions to build a new stadium to help them realise their goal to reach the top flight of English football, I am extremely concerned as to the viability of re-locating to Junction 12. In particular I am concerned with the size and scale of the proposed development and the impact this would have on the local environment. Any additional traffic – whether it be caused by visitors to the stadium or lorries at the warehouses/distribution centres would affect the quality of life for residents in the villages of Harlington, Toddington and Westoning.
In light of these concerns, I am in principle totally opposed to the relocation of LTFC to Junction 12 and believe further consideration should be made of alternative sites - this should include a full assessment as to what opportunities there may be to keep Luton Town FC within the town of Luton itself. For example, the Kenilworth Road area of Luton would benefit from significant regeneration and should be properly considered in any proposals for a new stadium. LTFC should also re-visit proposals for Junction 10, particularly in light of Luton Airport’s decision to withdraw plans for a second runway. An earlier proposal to re-locate to Junction 11A should also be re-considered too.
Neither Rosemound or their partners have yet to submit a planning application for this site, although I was previously under the impression that by late Autumn 2007 a proposal was to be formally lodged with South Bedfordshire District Council. As and when such an application is submitted, I will examine it in great detail and make appropriate representations to the Planners to express my total opposition to the relocation of LTFC to Junction 12. I would encourage all those who have taken an interest in this issue to make representations on this matter also. The application will then be determined by the Joint Planning and Transportation Committee, JPTC (a joint body with representatives from South Beds District Council and Luton Borough Council), although I suspect that an application of this size would be ‘called in’ by the Secretary of State and subject to a public inquiry."
Luton go into administration and suffer 10-point deduction
League One side Luton Town have been deducted 10 points after being placed into administration. The penalty leaves them at the foot of the table on nine points and seven points from safety.
The directors of the club decided to appoint administrators as a result of the Hatters' decreasing income.
"This will give the club breathing space and an opportunity to restructure its finances," said Brendan Guilfoyle of administrators The P&A Partnership.
Luton are looking for prospective buyers to put proposals to the creditors before end December 2007.
In order for the club to continue trading in the short term, chairman David Pinkney has agreed to fund trading losses until the conclusion of a sales process.
"This is a sad day for me personally, I have only ever had the long-term future of Luton Town Football Club at heart," said Pinkney.
"Changing circumstances and the potential huge liabilities surrounding the club have presented me with no alternative but to place the club into the hands of the administrator.
"As a further commitment to the supporters and the future of the club, I have however, decided to fund the overheads of the club throughout the sale process without any guarantee of recovering these moneys.
"I sincerely hope a potential purchaser can be found to take on Luton Town Football Club and secure its future."
Luton and agents hit with charges from FA
The FA's investigation into Luton began in March
The Football Association has issued more than 50 charges in connection with alleged breaches of rules at Luton Town, after an extensive investigation.
The charges relate to player transfers and contract renegotiations between July 2004 and February 2007.
The club, former chairman Bill Tomlins, ex-finance director Derek Peter and current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot have been charged.
Six licensed players' agents have also been charged.
The investigation, which began in March this year, found that payments made to the six agents, totalling about £160,000, by the club's holding company Jayten (also known as J10) Stadium Limited were not disclosed to the FA on the required forms.
The six agents have been charged with accepting payments from Jayten for their services to the club in securing the services of players.
In addition, it has been alleged that services for the benefit of a Luton player, totalling approximately £7,000, were paid for directly by Jayten but were not disclosed on the player's contract.
Sky Andrew, one of the six agents charged, was quick to play down the allegations.
Andrew, who is agent to a number of Premiership stars including Sol Campbell, Jermaine Pennant and Jermain Defoe, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "People mustn't blow this out of proportion, there's no question that irregular payments were made to officials or anyone like that.
"It's purely to do on our side with technical breaches on paperwork, which will come to light.
"We've spoken to the FA and the FA have conducted an investigation into dealings there - and it's only right they conduct their investigations and they've got rules in place and then they hand out charges to people.
"In our case it's just a technical breach of paperwork."
The charges follow an FA investigation after former Luton manager Mike Newell claimed in early 2006 that illegal payments in the game were rife.
"Ultimately it vindicates me of the stance I made," Newell told BBC 5 Live.
"I think as a manager of a football club, you have a duty to the supporters to make people aware of things like this.
"It was said over the last seven or eight months that there wasn't a time when I thought maybe it was the wrong thing to do because it's cost me my job. But ultimately this proves it was the right stance."
The full charges are as follows:
Luton Town have 17 charges, relating to payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations which were allegedly made through Jayten, rather than through the club as required by FA rules.
The Hatters have also been charged with provision of misleading information to the FA, not holding representation contracts with the relevant agents for the above negotiations, and dealing with two unlicensed agents (both through Jayten and directly).
Former chairman Bill Tomlins has been handed 15 charges. It is alleged that he was directly involved in 19 of the rule breaches listed above (except negotiations with two unlicensed agents which were not conducted through Jayten).
Former finance director Derek Peter is alleged to have approved payments made by Jayten in relation to the nine player negotiations.
Current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot are charged with failing to report the alleged rule breaches to the FA when they became aware of them.
Licensed players' agents Sky Andrew, Mike Berry, Mark Curtis, Stephen Denos, David Manasseh and Andrew Mills are each charged with failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to above negotiations.
All parties have until 30 November to respond to the charges.
Luton issued a statement on their website, stating that "at this point in time the club has no comment to make on these allegations".
There is no indication yet as to what punishments might be enforced if the charges were proved.
BBC Radio 5 Live sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar pointed out that the FA's investigation had been triggered by Tomlins when he resigned in April after admitting making irregular payments to agents on three separate occasions.
Farquhar said: "In a statement at the time, the club said Tomlins had approached the FA earlier in the year to clarify certain matters relating to the club.
"He also told the BBC he made the payments from the club's holding company but was at pains to point out that he made no private gain himself.
"He admitted he did the wrong thing at the time but also pointed out he contacted the FA personally to report what had gone wrong.
"It's also important to mention that the manager at the time Mike Newell made a number of allegations following his dismissal the month previous to Bill Tomlin's disappearance.
"And also another director, Martin King, resigned in the wake of the manager's departure, saying he was concerned with a number of issues and not just the one to sack Newell at the time."
Junction 10 is still a viable stadium site - letter to Luton News from Angela Jennings, for Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd
I must correct the false impression given by Luton Town chairman David Pinkney regarding the potential siting of a new stadium for Luton Town FC.
Mr Pinkney stated (News/Gazette, October 3rd) that 'for reasons that we know for certain but cannot discuss publicly, the Junction 10 option is no longer viable'.
This is entirely incorrect. Sheila and Mike watson-Challis of Stockwood Park Property Holdings Ltd remain determined to honour their promise to the club's supporters by submitting a planning application for a new stadium on their land at Junction 10 early in 2008.
Despite Mr Pinkney's comments to the contrary there is absolutely no evidence that the junction 10 site is no longer viable and every reason to believe that a new stadium at Junction 10 is eminently achievable.
Luton Town supporters will be interested to know that the development of any potential stadium site must, as part of their planning application, demonstrate that they have explored all alternatiuve sites in the area and proven them to be unsuitable.
Mr Pinkney will therefore soon need to provide evidence to substantiate the claims he has made regarding the viability of the Junction 10 site.
In turn, based on our extensive and in-depth knowledge of the site, we are confident we can demonstrate that J10 is not only viable but also the most appropriate, convenient and popular location for the new stadium.
The Junction 10 site has long been identified in the Local Plan as the site for a new stadium and, as your newspaper's own survey confirmed, the overwhelming majority of the club's supporters would much prefer the stadium to be sited at Junction 10 rather than Junction 12.
Mr Pinkney is therefore entirely incorrect to claim that the Junction 12 site is 'the last and only available site' and 'the only realistic option'.
Luton Town FC supporters would therefore do well to question Mr Pinkney's negative comments regarding the J10 site.
Based on information which we have received but are presently unable to divulge, Mr Pinkney's current stance appears to be prompted by an agreement which precludes him from considering any site other than Junction 12 for the time being.
Could this be the reason why he is so keen to publicly dismiss the viability of the Junction 10 site, despite the fact that the club's supporters - the supporters on whom the club depends - have overwhelmingly voted in favour of Junction 10?
MP Nadine Dorries gives Harlington resident her views on J12. Read them here.
Stadium plans delayed - An announcement from LTFC chairman, David Pinkney, states that the planning application may now not be ready until January 2008
Chairman reveals Luton stadium delay - Junction 12 planning application not likely until January
Hatters chairman David Pinkney has revealed that a planning application for a new stadium at Junction 12 has been delayed by several months.
Upon officially completing his takeover of the club in July, Pinkney had hoped the plans for the site would be submitted around October, but now it may not be until early January before the proposals are unveiled. The hold-up has been caused by the developers behind the project fine tuning the application and Pinkney said it was important to be patient.
The chairman, who foresees Town taking possession of the new ground during the 2009/10 season, explained: "I know the big question for fans is the new stadium and the long-awaited planning application. It is taking longer than we wanted to make the application. But our developer partner Goodmans (formerly Rosemound), are extremely prudent and are making sure that all boxes are ticked to minimise any potential call-in. When I took over in July, I expected the planning application to be going in around October, but I have had to be patient, because it's a massive undertaking that will protect and enhance our long-term future. It's now expected to be closer to the year-end, or could even spill over into early January. Getting it right is the quickest way in the long run."
Pinkney insisted the club has looked at all the options for housing a 25,000-seater stadium in the area with the motorway access that was essential. "For reasons that we know for certain, but can't discuss publicly, the Junction 10 option is no longer viable. Anyway, I look at Junction 11 as being realistically central to Luton with the hospital there, especially when a planned massive housing development is scheduled as part of the Government's Growth area for the region on the northern outskirts of the Town.
"It's a fact that if you go north and south from 11, the distances to Junctions 10/10A and 12 are not much more than a mile different. He said: "Junction 12 will be enlarged and improved when the motorway is widened to 10 lanes, circa 2010, the site also has a direct rail
link too and it has become the only realistic option.
"We now have a set of plans we are enthusiastic about. We think they'll be really exciting for our supporters. I think we will be lucky to get into the stadium for the start of the 2009/10 season, but would expect to take possession of it during that season. It all hangs on how long the planning consent takes to come through. Rest assured the build will start just as soon as we gain planning approval."
Pinkney called on fans to unite to help move the club forward.
He said: "All in all it's a tough call for Luton Town at the moment. We need everyone's support to get the club back up where it belongs. We were a founder of the Premier League, but have never played in it. Look at the gap now, that's how far we have fallen – all because no decisions have been made on relocation." He added: "Everyone within the area needs to pull together before our last and only available local site could also be lost.
"If we miss this opportunity, it could be between Junctions 8 to 14 for Luton Town."
See the CaSH press release in response to this news
Center Parcs is approved - will it affect the stadium development?
Center Parcs has been given the go-ahead to build a new 700 cottage holiday park at Warren Wood, between Flitwick and Steppingley.
On the one hand, this is greenbelt land and the Secretary of State for Commuities and Local Government, Hazel Blears overturned the decision to disallow this development. This sets a precedent.
On the other hand, there will be questions as to whether the M1 and local roads will be able to cope with the traffic generated by this development and a massive football stadium. 90% of visitors to Center Parcs will come from the south, many leaving the motorway at J12.
The new Center Parcs village will apparently also offer a sports hall, 75 bedroom hotel and conference centre. These are similar to facilities being offered by the stadium developers. Surely there isn't the demand for the same facilities at both developments?
The new Magna Park warehousing development at Junction 13 has planning consent for 3.4 million square feet.
Is another 2.2 million sq ft at J12 viable? Is there demonstrable demand? The J13 site is described as being 200 acres, the same total size as the proposed J12 development.