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The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
EFL club get update on £130m stadium as decision nears after warning they could cease to exist without new ground
OXFORD UNITED have released an update on their quest for a new stadium. The U's warned earlier this month they could cease to exist if plans for a proposed 16,000-seater arena are not approved. 3 3 3 Oxford are hoping to build a new ground on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington on the outskirts of the city. The club currently play at the Kassam Stadium, with their lease set to expire in 2026. Last month, Oxford confirmed they had negotiated a two-year extension with Fikora Group, the stadium owners. But they are still waiting for confirmation that they can start construction on the Triangle from Cherwell District Council. Oxford announced on Tuesday that the council were now in the "final stages" of their report into the proposal. In a statement, the club wrote: "Oxford United can confirm that Cherwell District Council planning department are in the final stages of completing their report for the new stadium proposals. "Following the latest review, the Club are continuing to work with the Council's team with the aim of securing a positive recommendation for the development plans. "Oxford United's planning application will be heard by the Cherwell District Council planning committee on 31 July." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Jonathon Clarke, Oxford's Development Director, added: 'With the recent review showing our responses are nearly complete, we can all focus on securing a positive recommendation for our plans. "We have made it very clear that meeting the July planning committee date is critical if the Club are to maintain the required timeline to secure our future." A decision on the proposals had been expected earlier this year, but has been hit with delays. Oxford CEO Tim Williams issued a stark warning over the future of the Championship club earlier this month. Williams told Sky Sports: "When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, we won't have a home and a stadium to play in. "If we don't have a stadium, there is a risk we won't have a football club. "It doesn't get more serious than that. "We have seen headlines recently about a new Manchester United stadium, which with all due respect is a want and not a need. "If Manchester United don't move out, they still have Old Trafford. "If Everton hadn't moved into Bramley Moor-Dock, they've still got Goodison. "If we don't move into a new stadium, we are homeless and we don't exist and it's an absolute travesty in my view." The U's estimate their £130million stadium plans will create around 1,000 new jobs and add £32m a year to the local economy. First unveiled in 2023, the stadium will include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, community plaza and would be the UK's first all-electric ground.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
MP urges residents to comment on Oxford United's stadium plans
An MP has urged her constituents to take part in a public consultation on Oxford United's proposed move to a new purpose built Dodds, who represents Oxford East, said she would "urge all local representatives at all levels to get behind the Yellows and support the club's proposals".She has previously spoken of her support for the club's plans for a new 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle, near proposals are currently being considered by Cherwell District Council, with a public consultation into the plans due to end on Friday. More than 3,800 people and organisations have so far submitted their views on the scheme, which would include a hotel, restaurant and gym. Urging residents to take part in the consultation, Dodds said she "wholeheartedly" supported the plans as the club's current stadium, the Kassam, was "not up to standard"."It lacks a fourth stand, the club is being charged unviable rent, and there are many other problems," the former cabinet minister said."The loss of a stadium would be a huge hit to our football club – I will keep fighting for the new stadium to be built." Earlier this month, the U's reached an agreement with the stadium's owner, Fikora Group, to stay at the Kassam for a maximum of two further parties said no further extensions or new lease agreements would be possible following the its plans for the new stadium, the club predicts 1,000 new jobs will be created and £32m a year added to the local development would also become the UK's first all-electric stadium, the club say.A decision on the plans is expected to be made by Cherwell District Council by the end of July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
