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County council publishes report on Oxford United stadium plans
United are looking to build a new ground at ‘The Triangle’, south of Kidlington Roundabout, with the club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium set to run out in 2026.
In September, Oxfordshire County Council will make a decision on whether to lease land at The Triangle to the U’s, for the purpose of building a stadium.
In the lead-up to that decision, the first phase of the council’s stakeholder engagement activities began on April 13 and will come to an end on Friday.
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Findings from meetings between April 13 and May 3 have been included in a council report published this morning.
During that timeframe, the council has met with the Oxford United Supporters’ Panel and OxVox, and sports clubs including Gosford All Blacks, Kidlington Cricket Club and Kidlington Youth Football Club.
Other groups such as Experience Oxfordshire, the Harbord Road Residents’ Association and the Woodland Trust have also met with the council.
The council report published this morning addresses ‘emerging findings’ from meetings between April 13 and May 3.
Among the findings, the report states that The Triangle is a ‘great location in terms of transport links’ and that people with disabilities are limited by the current travel options for the Kassam.
The council document notes that ‘the opportunity to arrive by public transport at the new stadium would provide greater accessibility’.
The report does however say that more information is needed from the club about ‘improved infrastructure and what that will look like in terms of facilitating public transport’.
Following a recent Kidlington parish poll on the stadium proposals, United reiterated that once published, detailed plans will ‘help to reassure residents’.
Oxfordshire’s non-league sides have discovered what division they are likely to play in next season following promotions and relegations
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) May 15, 2023
Other findings from the meetings included in the report state The Triangle would ‘not be big enough for the club’s current plans’, while proposals need to ‘show how woodland and the natural environment will be impacted’.
A further five stakeholder meetings have been scheduled, including with Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran, and Friends of Stratfield Brake. A briefing for district councillors is also planned, after being delayed due to recent local elections.
Once the U’s publish their proposals and information relating to how the council’s strategic priorities will be addressed, a second phase of stakeholder and public engagement will take place.
This is due to take place between June 5 and July 23.
The estimated financial cost for both phases of engagement is approximately £75,000.
A cabinet meeting on May 23 will set out the final arrangements for public engagement and feedback to date.
The U’s meanwhile have undertaken their own community engagement activities, with events at West Kidlington Primary School and The Cherwell School.
On September 19, the county council’s cabinet will decide whether or not to lease or sell land at The Triangle to United.
Planning permission for a new stadium would be required from Cherwell District Council, as the local planning authority.
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here:
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
