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BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford United stadium approval 'great result', MP and fans say
Fans have described the granting of planning permission for Oxford United's proposed new 16,000-seat stadium as a "great result".Cherwell District Council's planning committee gave the green light to the purpose-built ground, to be built on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, after a four-hour meeting on MP Callum Miller said it was "milestone" and called on the club to deliver on its commitment to reducing car journeys to the of the stadium had objected to the development on green belt land and raised concerns about traffic congestion. The club currently plays at the Kassam Stadium and its owner, Firoka Group, has agreed the U's can play there for two more seven-hectare (17-acre) site will be located south of Kidlington roundabout, west of Banbury Road, east of Frieze Way and near Oxford Parkway new stadium development proposals also include a hotel, restaurant and community United fans and local residents were among those who attended the meeting, which was also watched live online by more than 6,000 total, 14 councillors voted for the proposal, three abstained, and one voted Radio Oxford sport editor Jerome Sale, who was at the meeting, said it had been "emotionally charged"."Some impassioned pleas were made. Whether you agreed with the decision or not, you could definitely see this was being forensically challenged at every turn," he said."There are plenty more hurdles to pass before football is played - but it does feel last night was hugely significant." Liberal Democrat MP, Mr Miller said it was "very exciting news" for the club and its fans."I'm delighted for them this milestone has been reached," he said this club's travel plan would be "key" to the success of the stadium."Now we have the decision, the club can engage in that in detail and deliver on that commitment to massively reduce the number of car journeys bringing fans to home games," he Peros, of supporters group OxVox, said he was "incredibly happy" at the council vote."It was drawn out and painful at times but it was a process which needed to have gone through," he said."It's a great result. There has been an incredible of amount of work by the club, by the supporters - its been a team effort."Among those who spoke at the meeting was club steward Roland Clements, known as Roly, who was concerned about the future of the club if it did not get the after the vote, he described the club and its fans as "a big family community"."Kassam is not really a stadium - it's only got three sides," he continued."That's what all the fans want - a proper stadium we can call home - that's all that matters." Discussing the plans, councillors raised concerns about transport, finances and the environmental impact of the new Party councillor Ian Middleton said he was "disappointed" by the outcome, and believed it would have a "devastating" impact on the community."We always said we wouldn't support building on green belt unless there was local support," he Sutton, from Friends of Stratfield Brake, said during the meeting his group objected on "three critical grounds: greenbelt policy, public safety and ecological harm".He said: "The need to relocate is unproven, public safety has not been considered and the application does not take the precautionary approach required by Natural England."There will now be an option to extend the deal to play at the Kassam Stadium for another year, which was conditional on planning permission for the club's proposed new stadium being application will now be referred to the Secretary of State because it goes against the district council's development plan and is on the green belt. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Decision due on Oxford United new stadium plans
Council planners are due to make a decision on Oxford United's proposed new District Council's planning committee is set to meet at 16:00 BST to discuss plans for a new purpose-built 16,000-seater ground on land known as the Triangle, near football club has warned that if the proposals are not approved by the local authority then it would have no home stadium after June five-hectare (12-acre) site is located south of Kidlington roundabout, west of Banbury Road, east of Frieze Way and near Oxford Parkway Station. The club currently play at the Kassam Stadium and its owner, Firoka Group, has agreed the U's can play there for two more seasons. There will be an option to extend the deal for another year, which will be conditional on planning permission for the club's proposed new stadium being parties have said that no further extensions or new lease agreements for the Kassam will be possible. The council received about 4,900 responses from the public about the application and its planning report contained details of objections from local U's new complex could include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community were concerns that the proposed stadium would be built near ancient woodland but Natural England concluded that would not be the the council backs the application then it will be referred to the Secretary of State, which is a standard procedure for such large-scale applications. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford leisure park science lab plan revised after criticism
Plans to replace a popular leisure complex in Oxford with science laboratories have been revised following widespread Pioneer Group and landowner Firoka Group had originally proposed demolishing facilities at the Grenoble Road site next to the Kassam Stadium, including the Vue Cinema and Hollywood updated plans now include a new cinema, bowling alley and restaurants to replace those previously earmarked for demolition, alongside new research developers also plan to restore the pre-existing Priory pub, describing the scheme as an opportunity to "reinvigorate the entire site". Residents will be able to provide feedback and ask questions about the new proposals during a drop-in event at the site on 16 July between 14:00 and 19:00 BST. Under the updated plans, new "world class facilities" for the life science sector will still be team behind the Ozone Reimagined scheme said the development would create 1,900 new jobs, from entry-level positions to technical and research Latham, Pioneer Group's director, said: "We've worked hard to shape what we believe is an exciting future for this important site."We've heard from many people about how much the Ozone Leisure Park and the Priory Pub mean to the community."This scheme not only safeguards valued leisure facilities and brings the Priory back into use but also offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the entire site – creating more jobs, green spaces, restaurants and cafes."A spokesperson for Firoka Group added: "We are excited to be progressing these proposals for the Ozone Leisure Park – a site that, in its current form, is no longer sustainable."The site is currently home to a Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, as well as bars and restaurants. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Championship side could cease to 'exist' as CEO makes public plea in attempt to save club
Oxford United CEO Tim Williams has painted a stark picture of the position the club find themselves in as they continue their attempts to build a new stadium. The Yellows, who finished 17th in the Championship in 2024-25 in what was their first season in the second tier of English football for 26 years, have played at the Kassam Stadium since 2001. However, the ground - which has gained notoriety for only having three sides - is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group, who have informed Oxford that they cannot stay there forever. Last month, a deal was struck to allow the club to play at the Kassam until the end of the 2026-27 season, with the option to extend until June 2028, but after that they will have to move somewhere else. The club have been working on alternatives and have outlined their plans for a new 16,000-seater all-electric stadium that will also have other on site amenities like a 180-bedroom hotel, a conference and events centre, along with a gym. But, according to Williams, Oxford may cease to exist if they don't get the green light on planning permission for the proposed new ground. It has yet to receive approval from Oxfordshire County Council despite the focus on sustainability, with a decision expected next month. 'When our lease at the Kassam Stadium runs out, we won't have a home and a stadium to play in,' Williams told Sky Sports News in an eye-opening interview. '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 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 Moore-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.' Williams continued to emphasise the grave position the club find themselves in, while he also highlighted the benefits of the potential new ground. 'We now have a Regulator, and we have a report by Tracey Crouch which talks about football assets,' he added. 'We are a poster child for what good football governance and football clubs should be about. 'It's going to be a 16,000-seater stadium, on the outskirts of Oxford, and a real community asset, fully sustainable, in a brilliant location in the country. 'We need support, but we also need to say, the point about the club potentially not existing is a real one. This needs to be moved up every headline. 'We are entering a crucial period in the club's history. The future of the club hinges on the new stadium, and I'd urge every supporter, every stakeholder, and every voice to get behind this project.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kassam Stadium extension 'reinforces' Oxford United's move need
Oxford United's lease extension at the Kassam Stadium "reinforces" that the club must move from it soon, the city council's leader has Championship club's licence had been due to expire at the end of next season but will run until at least June could be extended for another year until June 2028 but is dependent on the club getting planning permission for a 16,000-capacity stadium at the Triangle, near Brown, the council's leader, said it was clear the Kassam Stadium "cannot provide a long-term home" for the U's. She said while the extension was "welcome", it was "regrettable that such an arrangement is necessary".The stadium is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group."It confirms the temporary nature of the club's current arrangements and underscores the importance of delivering a new, sustainable home that meets the long-term needs of Oxford United and the wider community," Ms Brown District Council is set to decide if the new stadium should go ahead by 31 July, according to its 3,800 people and organisations have submitted their views on the scheme, which would include a hotel, restaurant and gym, and comments will be accepted until the end of Oxford City Council plans, the land used for the Kassam Stadium could be used for at least 150 homes in the local authority and the Firoka Group own that land.A leisure complex next to the current stadium could be redeveloped and used as a science park. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
