Decision on Oxford United’s new stadium delayed
A decision will now take place two weeks later than initially planned
A crucial decision on whether plans for Oxford United’s new stadium will go ahead has been pushed back.
Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) want to build a new stadium at The Triangle site near Kidlington, which would seat 16,000 fans.
The plans were supposed to be decided by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee next Thursday, July 31.
However, the plans have been pushed back after the nearby Stratfield Brake woodland that borders the site was designated as ‘ancient’ by Natural England earlier this month.
The council also received an updated lighting assessment and ecology statement, as well as further information in relation to the financial sustainability of the scheme.
The decision will now take place two weeks later on Thursday, August 14.
OUFC say they are disappointed to learn of the delay, and that the factors were outside their control.
Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, said: “It’s frustrating that this delay has been caused by a last-minute submission from a statutory consultee, particularly given they had previously raised no objections to the application.
“However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised. This is an incredibly detailed, robust application.
“We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date.”
Friends of Stratfield Brake previously questioned whether the plans could go ahead after Natural England’s decision.
Victoria Campbell, a Kidlington resident, said it “seems inconceivable that the planning decision can go ahead as planned on 31st July”, and that the proposal lacked a 15-metre buffer zone to prevent damage to the woodland.
She added: “This is yet more compelling evidence that the Triangle is simply the wrong site and too small for OUFC’s proposals and the club should consider other options.”
Natural England submitted a further comment to the council’s planning portal, which set out that it had no objection to the plans.
At the same time, it added that the plans as they stand “have the potential to adversely affect” the ancient woodland.
The Kassam Stadium has been home to OUFC since it was built in 2001, but the club’s lease runs out on June 30, 2026.
As part of plans for the new stadium the club also want to build a 180-bed hotel, conference and events centre, gym, health and wellbeing and community spaces.
The plans have been awaiting a decision since the application was first submitted in February 2024, and a decision was expected to be reached by early 2025.
OUFC announced this February that they had agreed to a short extension to the planning decision, to allow the district council to consider further information relating to the application.
Giles Brockbank, a partner at Ridge, part of the stadium project team sent a letter to the council’s planning officers in June stating that the club “can’t afford for the application to slip any further beyond the end of July, as this will have serious ramifications for the club”.
Cherwell District Council were contacted for comment.