As a Luton ATCO, I'm enjoying this exchange!
I think you've said most of it. Yes, the Luton g/a procedures changed last year and now go to 3000ft QNH. Whereas we were happy to put VFR traffic over the landing threshold at 2500ft (when the g/a's went to 2000ft), it's not done now if there is traffic on the approach. This does limit the opportunities of getting VFR traffic through.
2donkeys is right. If you're at BPK and want to go to Cranfield, just say, let us decide the route. It will either be via the overhead or 8nm east, I would suggest, depending on what is happening. Of course, if we have no traffic then you'll be cleared direct, I think this would very slight east of the overhead (I type this without a map!)
I'm amazed that you were asked to route BPK to Hemel for a transit to Cranfield. Why would we want to do that? The route Hemel-overhead looks up the 26 climbout! Perhaps they were on rwy 08 that day, or there was another reason we don't know about.
Luton Approach moved to LATCC on 22 Feb. I've stayed with the Tower so it's not my dulcet tones you'll hear on 129.55!
[Edioted for the inevitable spulling mistook!]
[This message has been edited by Lew Ton (edited 15 March 2001).]