Featured image credit: AFL Architects
Oxford United has seen a planning application decision for its proposed new 16,000-capacity stadium pushed back again, with the Championship football club maintaining it has “overwhelming support” for the project.
United today (Wednesday) confirmed it has agreed to a request for an extension to allow Cherwell District Council to consider additional information relating to its planning application. As a result, the club said the earliest the Council can provide a decision is June.
United is seeking to build a 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle near Kidlington, including a 180-bedroom hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, gym and community plaza.
The plans were submitted back in February 2024, and the club had been hoping to move into the stadium by 2026. A decision had been expected by June 21 last year, however it emerged that month that the planning application would not be considered until early 2025 following requests from Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council for additional information and studies.
United today said the requirement for a further extension reflects the complex nature of planning applications for large developments such as its project. It added that the club’s stadium development team continues to work with the Council, along with key stakeholders and consultees, to ensure all aspects of the project, including transport and ecology, are fully considered.
Specifically, United said some further statutory consultation responses from key stakeholders on highways, ecology and biodiversity are still being considered, with the Transport Assessment and Ecology Assessment potentially needing to be further updated once this information has been provided.
The club will also submit for review more information relating to Very Special Circumstances in line with agreed timeframes. Jonathon Clarke, Oxford United development director, said: “I’d like to reassure our supporters that planning extensions such as this are common practice with significant developments which require extensive studies and careful examination.
“We continue to have positive meetings with key stakeholders and fully appreciate the need to ensure everything is in place for a favourable decision to be made.
“This incredible, once in a lifetime project will secure the long-term future of the club and deliver multiple benefits to local communities. The fact the application has received more than 2,400 comments in our favour is testament to the overwhelming support for this project.”
In July, Oxford City Council backed United’s plans for what will be an all-electric stadium north of the city. The club already has a legally binding lease option with Oxfordshire County Council for the land.
In September, United appointed creative agency 20.20 to create a unique identity and experience strategy for the stadium. United announced in June 2023 that AFL Architects, Ridge and Partners, Mott MacDonald and Fabrik would make up the team seeking to deliver the new stadium.
In June, United said it was “actively exploring” short-term provisions for the period between its Kassam Stadium lease expiring in 2026 and the new venue being ready. The club today said it is now in “advanced discussions” over this matter.
Commenting on the latest development for the project, Suzanne McIvor from the environmental community group Friends of Stratfield Brake, told the BBC: “OUFC is putting an extraordinarily positive spin on a planning application that was poorly prepared and which, from the outset, failed to address key planning issues.
“The club must accept responsibility for the delay which is due to its failure to provide timely and sufficient information to Cherwell District Council.”
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