The leader of Oxford City Council has called on the Government to make a decision on Oxford United’s proposed new stadium, warning that the matter is “increasingly urgent”, according to our Local Democracy Reporter Esme Kenney..
The 16,000-seat stadium at The Triangle site near the Kidlington roundabout was granted planning permission by Cherwell District Council in August. Because of its scale, the plans were referred to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for final approval.
Read more: Oxford United stadium plans approved by Cherwell District Council
However, on September 11 the Secretary of State was given additional time to consider whether to call in the proposal, leaving the timeline uncertain.
Oxford United is currently based at the Kassam Stadium, but its lease will expire in June 2028. The landowner has confirmed the club must vacate by the end of the 2027/28 season.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, September 30, Council Leader Susan Brown urged Secretary of State Steve Reed MP to expedite the process. She noted that Labour MPs Anneliese Dodds and Sean Woodcock had already written to him earlier in September, but said the issue had since become “increasingly urgent”.
She wrote: “Oxford United’s tenure at its current stadium is rapidly running out. The landowner, who wants to redevelop the site, has said the club must move out by the end of the 2027/28 season at the latest.
“As a result, work on the new stadium needs to start urgently.
“The new stadium – which aims to be the UK’s first zero-carbon football stadium for a major club – would bring a host of economic and social benefits to the area, including new jobs, improved transport connections, increased support for grassroots sport, and enabling the men’s and women’s teams to play in the same stadium.
“The site is also in an accessible and sustainable location, near Oxford Parkway railway station and Oxford Ring Road.
“The new stadium will secure the future of Oxford United Football Club. I know, as a football fan yourself, you will understand how much that will mean to so many people across Oxford and Oxfordshire.”
Opposition to the project continues, with Friends of Stratfield Brake urging the Secretary of State to call in the plans and questioning why the city council has not used compulsory purchase powers to buy the Kassam site instead.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the delay should not be interpreted as an indication of how the Secretary of State views the application.
Oxford United has confirmed that the stadium plans remain under Government review and that the club “remains committed to delivering a world-class stadium that benefits both the club and the wider community”.
As part of the wider development, the club also intends to build a 180-bed hotel, conference and events centre, gym, health and wellbeing facilities, and community spaces.
