A GROUP of experts in the fields of planning, environment and transport say questions still need answering when it comes to Oxford United’s proposed move to Stratfield Brake.
While Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet agreed to continue discussions with United, Chris Cousins from POETS (Planning Oxfordshire’s Environment and Transport Sustainably) said questions still needed addressing.
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At the cabinet meeting, Green councillor Ian Middleton said the club’s proposals couldn’t be ‘taken in isolation’.
He added: “This site is one of the last stretches of green belt in the area.
“I know there are supposed advantages for sport provision and I’m not unsympathetic to the plight of Oxford United, but I don’t think this is the right site.”
POETS is a group of planning, environment and transport professionals and academics.
Mr Cousins, former head of sustainable development at the county council, told the Oxford Mail after the meeting: “We’re neither for nor against but it seems to us a whole range of questions haven’t been addressed.
“Looking at the officer’s report, it didn’t seem to really address the questions we had raised, whether that was discussed at the meeting or not.
“When the Kassam was built, it was on green belt land and to build a permanent home for Oxford United, so what’s in place to make sure that doesn’t happen again?
“The report to the cabinet states that if the club ceased to exist, the head lease could go to another football club, which seemed a concern for us.
“If the club goes bust then what happens, but then also if they’re very successful, will an increase in capacity be accommodated?
“There’s the carbon impact of construction given there’s still a functioning stadium at the Kassam, and what specific measures are in place for fans travelling via public transport.
“At POETS, we want to see a successful football team, but you can’t just close your eyes to other things going on.
“At the very least, if this is going to go ahead, we need satisfactory answers to the questions we’ve raised.”
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At the meeting, United’s managing director Niall McWilliams said the club is aiming to build a net zero carbon stadium.
This was something Duncan Enright, the council’s cabinet member for travel and development, lauded, as he said: “Building a new stadium with zero carbon principles is to be applauded.”
After the meeting, Mr McWilliams told the Oxford Mail: “We’ve always got to be guided by stakeholders and see what they want.
“It’s clear we have to look at traffic issues, green belt issues and community use.
“That’s the clear message coming back from stakeholders and we just need to unpick the detail.”
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