Following requests from Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council for additional information and studies, Oxford United can confirm it now expects the planning application for its new stadium proposal to be considered in early 2025.

The plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health & wellbeing space, gym and a community plaza.

The stadium project management team have been meeting regularly with the planning department and key stakeholders, with discussions progressing well over the past few months. The additional work and modelling being undertaken, which is ongoing, will provide further clarity for the planning committee to support their decision.

With the planning submission likely to be considered in early 2025, the club are actively exploring alternative short-term provisions for the period between the lease at the Kassam Stadium expiring in 2026 and the new stadium being ready.

The club recently announced it had secured the legally binding land lease option agreement and a community collaboration agreement. The completion of the contracts represented a significant milestone in securing Oxford United a long-term home in the county and protecting the future of the 131-year-old football club.

The club’s aspirations are to build a new, modern, eco-friendly stadium which is a significant community landmark that contributes meaningfully to the economy and society of Oxfordshire. This is a once in a generation opportunity to provide a new home for sport, entertainment, business, community, education and tourism which the whole county can be proud of.

Jonathan Clarke, Oxford United Development Director, said: “We’re fully committed to following the planning process, supporting the planning department in their review and delivering on our vision.

“We have made excellent progress recently with the signing of the lease option. Although this process took longer than originally envisaged, it has provided a platform for the club to move forward with confidence. We are now focused on obtaining the necessary planning permissions and preparing for the build.

“It is common that large-scale developments, especially ones within a Green Belt area, require additional modelling and careful examination.  

“We look forward to fulfilling all the requests for additional information and submitting further details in due course.”

The new stadium will deliver significant economic and social benefits to Oxfordshire, including the creation of new jobs, boosting tourism, improving transport links, enhancing green spaces, and supporting local charities, sports groups and schools.

The visitor experience, inclusivity and sustainability have been placed at the heart of the design. It would be the first all-electric stadium in the UK and includes a safe standing allocation, sensory room, 130 wheelchair spaces and wellbeing gardens.  

The lease option agreement includes provisions to ensure Oxford United’s right to play at the stadium is secured, along with safeguards on rent and use of facilities. The community collaboration agreement formalises the club’s commitment to social, environmental and economic benefits for the community, as outlined in the seven strategic priorities set by the council. 

FAQs

Why has the planning process timeframe changed?

• Additional modelling is required to support the transport assessment. The need to undertake a VISSIM model is a time intensive process and the model was only recently released for the club to utilise. The Transport Assessment will therefore need to be updated once this modelling has been completed.
• Statutory consultation responses have been received and feedback provided by Cherwell District Council on what additional information is required – this is a normal procedure and the club and its team are in the process of addressing all relevant points where appropriate.
• The volume of public comments and interest in the scheme also warrants a longer review from the project team and local planning authority.

What additional information has been requested?

• Further information on key matters like transport, ecology, biodiversity and health impact have been requested via key consultees that have been consulted through the planning application process. While all information requested by the Council through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping has been addressed in the application submission, it is not uncommon for additional issues to be raised during the consultation process and the information submitted supplemented and added to during the processing of a large-scale application such as this and where the environmental impact of the proposal needs to be carefully considered. Oxford United want to ensure that all issues, where relevant to the application submission, are appropriately picked up to ensure the impact of its proposals both address the key matters raised to date and respond to key local and national planning policy.   

Why has additional information been requested?

• Additional information has been requested by key consultees and third parties as part of the planning consultation process. This is where they feel points of clarification or additional information may be needed to supplement the submission. It is common practice for applicants to then address any issues or points of clarification that have been sought.  

Why was the information not included in the planning application?

• The information submitted as part of the planning application and EIA was agreed through the EIA Scoping and pre-application discussions with the Council. However, while all the information requested was submitted with the application, this does not prohibit requests for further information/clarification of points to be requested, particularly where large scale developments are proposed such as this.

What will the additional information mean for Oxford United’s planning application?

• The provision of additional information that has been requested means that the determination of the application will be pushed back. At this stage, exact timescale for the determination of the application have yet to be established but will be agreed with the Council in due course as the submission of further information will need to be appropriately reconsulted on by the Council.

What will Oxford United do next?

• Focus on securing a successful planning application
• Commence the tender process for a main build contractor
• Review the project programme and establish any short-term measures required

Where will Oxford United play when the lease at the Kassam Stadium ends?

• The club is now advancing its conversations around alternative short-term provisions for the period between the lease at the Kassam Stadium expiring in 2026 and the new stadium being ready. At this stage no decision has been taken but the club is exploring a number of workable short-term options.

When will the planning application be considered?

• It is important the club gets the planning application right and continues to follow the process diligently. Currently it is expected the planning application will be considered in early 2025.