A petition was presented to Parliament on Wednesday appealing against plans to build Luton's proposed new stadium near junction 12 of the M1.The petition which will be handed in by Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, has 3,100 signatures from residents of Harlington and Toddington in Bedfordshire who oppose the development of the 25,000-seater ground on environmental grounds.

The club initially planned for the Hatters to be playing at the new stadium by the start of the 2010/2011 season, but the development's future may be unclear given the impending buyout of the administration-hit club by the Nick Owen-fronted consortium Luton Town FC 2020 ltd.

Mike Benner, co-ordinator for Campaign for a Sustainable Harlington, told Luton on Sunday: "Residents of Harlington will not simply roll over and let a huge global developer destroy the treasured green belt site which provides a natural barrier between Harlington and the M1. It makes no sense to expect fans to travel out to Harlington to support their club."

Previous attempts to solve Luton's ailing stadium dilemma included a much-scrutinised proposal by former managing director John Gurney for a stadium surrounded by an F1-style racetrack at junction 10 of the M1.

Hatters manager Mick Harford has refused to comment on any move from Kenilworth Road, where Luton have played since 1905.

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