Featured image credit:Flippo/CC BY-SA 3.0/Edited for size
English League One football club Oxford United has confirmed that it is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential alternative site for its proposed new stadium.
The club had previously targeted 18 hectares of land at Stratfield Brake in Kidlington as the destination for an 18,000-seat stadium. In a statement released today (Monday), Oxford said it continues to consider “any viable site” for the proposed new stadium.
Oxford also said that it is in talks regarding a potential alternative site located on land to the east of Frieze Way/South of Kidlington Roundabout. The club’s statement said that it was “important and right” to not rule out any alternative sites at this stage in the process.
The Stratfield Brake land is owned by Oxfordshire County Council, but the BBC has reported that the authority feels the site now poses “considerable challenges”. A decision on the proposed site is set to be made on January 24, with the land near Frieze Way now an option.
Oxford’s statement added: “The discussions are at a very early stage, so we cannot confirm any details but any site will remain subject to contractual negotiations, obtaining planning permissions and the relevant statutory consents. We also remain committed to extensive consultation with the local community in the new year.
“The club will continue to explore all options available to provide a long-term and sustainable future home that benefits both the club and our local community. Given the dwindling timeframe available to us and the interest from fans, local residents and the wider Oxfordshire community, it is imperative that a decision about a preferred site is resolved as soon as possible.”
In March, Oxford was cleared to move to the pre-planning stage of efforts to develop a new stadium following the latest decision made by the council. It came after the club had earlier asked the council to lease 18 hectares of land at Stratfield Brake in Kidlington for 250 years.
Oxford currently plays at the Kassam Stadium (pictured), but the club does not own the venue and its lease deal to play at the 12,500-seat facility expires in 2026.
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