Latest news with #Kidlington
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.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged kidnapper on the run after victim taken to hospital
A man accused of kidnapping and assault is reportedly on the run. Robert Burden allegedly forced a man into his vehicle on Castle Street in Carterton. He inflicted injuries on the victim, who is in his 40s, and has since been discharged from hospital. The incident occurred on Tuesday May 20 and Thames Valley Police has since launched a manhunt for Mr Burden, 45. READ MORE: Police have asked the public to report any sightings of him describing him as white, around 5ft 7 in tall and of medium build. The service also says he has short black hair, a full black beard and brown eyes. Mr Burdon allegedly tried to kidnap someone last month (Image: TVP) In the past, he has regularly been seen in Kidlington and the surrounding area, some 20 miles from Carterton where the kidnapping took place. Police have also advised that if he is seen, he should not be approached by the public. Investigating officer detective constable David Hughes said: 'We are appealing for the public's help in tracing Robert Burden. Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps:// — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025 'If you see him, please do not approach him, instead call 999.' The service added that if members of the public have information as to his whereabouts, then they should give it to the online reporting page quoting the reference 43250248915. 'Or if you do not wish to speak to the police,' said DC Hughes. "You can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, who will take your information 100 per cent anonymously'.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Cherwell sports centres to undergo eco-friendly improvements
Four leisure centres and sports pavilions are set to undergo eco-friendly enhancement works worth a combined £ funding will be used to help decarbonise Spiceball and Woodgreen leisure centres and North Oxfordshire Academy sports pavilion, all in Banbury, as well as Stratfield Brake pavilion, in District Council said it secured money for the improvements through the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).The authority said the works would save 234 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – the equivalent of driving a car for more than 820,000 miles (1.3m km). Improvements will include replacing fossil fuel-based heating systems with low-carbon alternatives, such as heat upgrades, including insulation improvements, will also be carried Beckett, the council's greener communities chief, said the authority was "committed to addressing climate change head-on"."While we've invested before in decarbonisation measures at our leisure centres, there's still more to be done to reach our carbon net zero ambitions," he said."This [funding] will allow residents' trips to the gym or swimming pool to feel both good for personal health and planetary health."The majority of the works are expected to be completed by March 2026, in line with the council's goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘No stadium, no club' – Championship side release video warning that it will cease to exist if new ground not approved
CHAMPIONSHIP club Oxford United have released a heartfelt video warning they will cease to exist if new stadium plans are not approved. Earlier this month, the U's penned an open letter to concerned locals regarding a proposed 16,000-seater stadium on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington. 3 3 3 It comes with the looming fear of United's current lease on where they currently play, the Kassam Stadium, expiring in 2026. Last month, the club reached a deal with stadium owners, Fikora Group, to allow them to stay there for a maximum of two more years, with no more extensions or lease agreements possible following the agreement. But amid opposition from worried locals, a decision is set to be made on the plans by Cherwell District Council in July. And in a bid to sway the powers that be in their favour, United released a 2-minute 15-second video on YouTube. The video starts off by going into the 132-year history of the club since its founding in 1893. A voiceover of the club then warns how it may not be part of the future of the community, saying: "Imagine Oxford United is no longer. "No more dreams. No more community. No more football." The video cuts away to show fans cheering and chanting in the club's current home of the Kassam Stadium, which holds 12,573 people. Views from people involved with the club are then voiced in support of the plans, including matchday steward, Roland Clements, Women's team manager, Gemma Simms and first-team star, Sam Long. CEO Tim Williams then appears in the video and warns: "Our very existence is now at risk. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms "This stadium will create jobs, boost the economy, improve lives and safeguard the future of this great club." The video ends with a poignant message declaring there are "no second chances" before adding: "No stadium, no club." A black screen appears with white text saying: "Our future is in your hands." In the club's open letter earlier this month, Williams said: "It doesn't get more serious than that for a football club. "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. It's that important." United 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 stadium. A poll held in May 2023 by Kidlington Parish Council saw most residents who voted go against the plans. United have since made a number of changes to the original proposal. This included adding a new health and wellbeing centre and making 90 per cent of transport to the ground sustainable, which they said now had the support of the police and council highways officers. The club finished 17th in the Championship last season, a year after they were promoted from winning the League One play-off final.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford United writes open letter addressing stadium concerns
Oxford United has written to locals in an attempt to outline the potential community benefits of its new stadium club wants to build a 16,000-capacity venue on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, but has faced some opposition from the an open letter addressing those concerns, the club said it had "listened, adapted, and are committed to delivering something that can be genuinely valued locally".It added that stakeholders, including police and council highways officers, had accepted the club's transport strategy - subject to conditions. The strategy aims for 90% of travel to the stadium to take place via sustainable Clarke, development director at Oxford United, said the club understood there were "existing challenges in the community" and had created a plan to "help alleviate them"."The stadium is about more than football and will deliver huge value to our local communities and beyond," he said. Among the updated proposals included in the letter are plans for a new health and wellbeing centre and additional local benefits - including free venue access for local schools, charities and community club also reaffirmed its plans to invest in the nearby Stratfield Brake's sports pitches - home to teams including Kidlington Youth FC and Gosford All Blacks rugby also detailed its plans to make the proposed new ground the UK's first all-electric stadium - powered by on-site renewables and 100% clean energy."We appreciate there are many questions about the new stadium and the open letter helps address them and further engage with residents," Mr Clarke added: "Without the stadium the club and its charity cannot survive.""The stadium will safeguard both and create a hub that serves the community and helps address local needs." Last month, the U's reached an agreement with the stadium's owner, Fikora Group, to stay at its current home, the Kassam Stadium, 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 open letter confirmed that a fifth of the jobs created would be ring-fenced for those living locally, to "help address the county's youth employment and hospitality labour shortages".A decision on the proposal 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.
