Latest news with #JonathonClarke
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Catastrophic' – New 16,000-seater Championship stadium delayed by ‘ancient woodland' amid warnings over club's future
OXFORD UNITED will be forced to wait a further two weeks for a decision regarding their proposed new stadium after a nearby woodland was designated as "ancient". The Championship side are hoping to build a Advertisement 3 Oxford are planning to build a 16,000-seater stadium Credit: Oxford United 3 The new ground would be a huge community asset Credit: Plans were first Cherwell District Council had been scheduled to come to a decision at a planning committee on July 31. Remarkably, this meeting has been delayed by two weeks to August 14 following a ruling by Natural England. Oxford's proposed Triangle site borders the Stratfield Brake woodland. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS The woodland area was recently handed "ancient" status - sparking fresh concerns over whether this could affect the council's decision on Oxford's proposed new stadium. Upon the delay, U's development director Jonathon Clarke said: "It's frustrating that this delay has been caused by a last-minute submission from a statutory consultee, particularly given they had previously raised no objections to the application. 'However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised. This is an incredibly detailed, robust application. 'We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date.' Advertisement Most read in Football Latest Exclusive Breaking BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Natural England claim that Oxford's plans "have the potential to adversely affect" the woodland. But the organisation does not oppose the stadium build. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms Oxford play at the Kassam Stadium, having moved there since 2001. Advertisement In May the second-tier side extended their lease at the Kassam to 2027, with an option for a further year. The site is still owned by Oxford's former owner Firoz Kassam, and Oxford City Council plans could see the Kassam Stadium torn down and replaced by as many as 150 homes in future. Oxford's proposed new Triangle home would boast plenty of community facilities in addition to the stadium, including a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community plaza. 'CATASTROPHIC' Labour MP for Oxford East Anneliese Dodds has stressed the importance of the U's receiving planning permission. Advertisement She wrote on X: "I'm disappointed by the delay in deciding on @OUFCOfficial's new stadium. "OUFC, its fans, and Oxfordshire need this stadium for the benefits it will bring. "A positive decision is crucial, as more delays could have a catastrophic impact on the club." Oxford are currently preparing for their second season back in the Championship following their promotion in 2023-24. Advertisement Gary Rowett's side finished 17th last term, four points clear of the drop zone. 3 Anneliese Dodds has offered a stark warning Credit: AFP
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Catastrophic' – New 16,000-seater Championship stadium delayed by ‘ancient woodland' amid warnings over club's future
OXFORD UNITED will be forced to wait a further two weeks for a decision regarding their proposed new stadium after a nearby woodland was designated as "ancient". The Championship side are hoping to build a 16,000-seater stadium at The Triangle, which is located by nearby Kidlington. 3 3 Plans were first unveiled in 2023, but have been marred by a series of delays. Cherwell District Council had been scheduled to come to a decision at a planning committee on July 31. Remarkably, this meeting has been delayed by two weeks to August 14 following a ruling by Natural England. Oxford 's proposed Triangle site borders the Stratfield Brake woodland. The woodland area was recently handed "ancient" status - sparking fresh concerns over whether this could affect the council's decision on Oxford's proposed new stadium. Upon the delay, U's development director Jonathon Clarke said: "It's frustrating that this delay has been caused by a last-minute submission from a statutory consultee, particularly given they had previously raised no objections to the application. 'However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised. This is an incredibly detailed, robust application. 'We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Natural England claim that Oxford's plans "have the potential to adversely affect" the woodland. But the organisation does not oppose the stadium build. Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms Oxford play at the Kassam Stadium, having moved there since 2001. In May the second-tier side extended their lease at the Kassam to 2027, with an option for a further year. The site is still owned by Oxford's former owner Firoz Kassam, and Oxford City Council plans could see the Kassam Stadium torn down and replaced by as many as 150 homes in future. Oxford's proposed new Triangle home would boast plenty of community facilities in addition to the stadium, including a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community plaza. 'CATASTROPHIC' Labour MP for Oxford East Anneliese Dodds has stressed the importance of the U's receiving planning permission. She wrote on X: "I'm disappointed by the delay in deciding on @OUFCOfficial's new stadium. "OUFC, its fans, and Oxfordshire need this stadium for the benefits it will bring. "A positive decision is crucial, as more delays could have a catastrophic impact on the club." Oxford are currently preparing for their second season back in the Championship following their promotion in 2023-24. Gary Rowett 's side finished 17th last term, four points clear of the drop zone. 3
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford stadium decision delayed due to ancient woodland
A decision on Oxford United's new stadium plans has been delayed after a nearby woodland was designated as District Council was due to review an application for a 16,000-seat venue on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, on 31 the local authority said it required further time after Natural England identified an area of ancient woodland near the site, and said its planning committee would now consider the application on 14 club said it was "disappointed" with the delay. Development director at Oxford United Jonathon Clarke said it the last-minute submission was "frustrating"."However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised," he said, adding it was "an incredibly detailed, robust application"."We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date."The planning application has faced several delays since its council said the designation required "a further period of time to ensure the robust consideration of those matters" and incorporate them into its recommendation England previously said its woodland specialists had "found that there has been sufficient evidence submitted to support this site as ancient woodland".But it added that it would be willing to "consider further substantively different evidence" in this particular case. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish 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 Oxford United have given an update on their proposed new stadium Credit: PA 3 The U's are still waiting for permission to build the 16,000-seat arena Credit: Oxford United football club 3 The Championship club have warned they could cease to exist if they don't have a home Credit: Oxford United football club 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. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL WEEDED OUT Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds 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." Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms 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.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- 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.
