FEARS for the future of the Oxford Stadium are growing after a key greyhound race meeting was axed.

Campaigners said that the loss of Friday morning meetings at the stadium, which is between Blackbird Leys and Cowley, would jeopardise its future as a greyhound track.

The move comes after developer Galliard Homes unveiled plans earlier this year to build more than 200 homes on the site.

Opponents of the housing proposals say the loss of the race meetings could weaken arguments that the stadium should stay open.

BAGS racing (Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service) was established at Oxford and other stadiums by bookmakers in 1967 so that punters could place bets in the daytime.

The Greyhound Racing Association, which owns the stadium, has not explained the reasons behind the decision to switch the meetings to a track in Yorkshire.

BAGS said it was a “business decision”.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gordon Roper said he was worried the loss of the event would make the stadium less viable in its current form.

He said: “As far as I know it was fairly popular, and if it’s gone then less people are going to go up there.

“But this could be the thin end of the wedge, it could be the go-karts next, then the racing will be down to two nights a week.

“The parish council still opposes the development of the site. I understand people need homes, but this needs to stay as a leisure facility.”

If a planning bid is submitted, councillors will have to look at the viability of the stadium as a business before making any decision.

Residents of Blackbird Leys have raised concerns in the past that development of the site would put extra strain on the area’s road and schools network.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who lives in Blackbird Leys, recently sent out a survey to 2,340 households seeking their views on the proposals for 225 homes.

He had responses from 273 homes, and the majority of those, 188, were against developing the stadium.

Mr Smith said answers were needed on the reasons for the withdrawal of the BAGS meeting.

He said: “Moving this meeting is a blow for the stadium.

“The GRA and BAGS should answer questions about why this has happened.”

BAGS meets happen at 18 stadiums nationwide and are run by the BAGS organisation, which is not-for-profit and based in London.

BAGS has confirmed that Tuesday daytime races would continue at the stadium.

The Oxford Mail contacted Galliard Homes and the Greyhound Racing Association for comment, but received no response.