Plans for the development of a new £4.7m youth centre in Luton, Bedfordshire, are to move forward after the government confirmed capital funding towards the scheme.

TOKKO - designed by Max Rengifo of AStudio Architecture - will feature a climbing wall; performance spaces; a games and IT area; and multi-use studios. Training and counselling rooms; a rooftop zen garden; a beauty and fashion studio are also proposed, along with a café that will be open to the public.

A planning application for the project - led by Voluntary Action Luton (VAL) - is due to be submitted to Luton Borough Council on 17 January. VAL executive director Everton Blake said: "We've had to wait six months to hear whether the project was still going ahead but it's been worth the wait.

"TOKKO has not only been designed by young people but they will also have an active role in managing it from agreeing the opening times to deciding what services and activities are available."