South
South is located in Bedfordshire
South
South
Location within Bedfordshire
Population10,364 
OS grid referenceTL090203
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townLUTON
Postcode districtLU1
Dialling code01582
PoliceBedfordshire
FireBedfordshire and Luton
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament

South is the name for a ward in the southern part of Luton, in the Luton district, in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. The ward includes New Town, Park Town, Chapel Langley, Capability Green and most of Luton town centre. Junction 10 of the M1 is just outside the ward. Both Luton Airport Parkway and Luton railway station are located within the ward. London Luton Airport is close by.

Local area

The local area is a mixture of residential and commercial, yet the area itself has traditionally been associated with the working class population. However, a series of developments towards Stockwood Park and Golf Centre, on the edge of Luton, have helped to bring in new residents, lifting the area. There is a local business park, Capability Green, and nearby, Gypsy Lane Retail Park on the A1081 and towards Castle Street heading up towards the town centre, new businesses have been setting up, boosting the area further. There are a series of local pubs in the area with a diverse culture behind every one of them, making the area one of the most diverse in Luton.

Education

South is home to Stockwood Park Academy, which has had a rich history, formerly being Stockwood High School, then merging with Rotheram High School to form South Luton High School. The school was a focus of attention in 2004 when the students staged a protest against measures imposed by the then headmistress, Sherry Gladwin. The school was taken over as an academy by Barnfield College who already owned the old Rotheram school site and in 2011 opened a brand new school and Barnfield South Academy moved in leaving the old site occupied by Surrey St JMI. In 2015 Barnfield South Academy was renamed South Academy for a short while before being renamed Stockwood Park Academy.

The area also house buildings for the University of Bedfordshire including accommodation.

Transport

Being on the edge of Luton, South has some very good connections to the town centre, the M1 and London Luton Airport. The area is also next to Luton Airport Parkway railway station, giving it good links with London and Bedford.

Environment

The area has a main green space of Stockwood Park to enjoy, but also sees the River Lea leave Luton through this area, meaning plenty of wildlife to enjoy as well. The area has good links with the local manor house, Luton Hoo with the countryside surrounding the area.

Politics

South ward is represented by Cllr David Agbley (Labour), Cllr Fatima Begum (Labour) and Cllr Javeria Hussain (Labour).[1] The ward forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Luton South and the MP is Rachel Hopkins (Labour).

Map of Luton showing South ward

Local newspapers

Two weekly newspapers cover South ward, although they are not specific to the area.

  • Herald and Post[2]
  • Luton News[3]

Local attractions

References

  1. ↑ "CMIS > Councillors". luton.gov.uk.
  2. ↑ Herald and Post
  3. ↑ Luton News
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