Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to lease a piece of land in Kidlington to Oxford United for its new stadium.

At a cabinet meeting today (Tuesday, September 19), councillors voted to lease ‘The Triangle’ south of Kidlington Roundabout, to the club.

Although a huge step forward for the U's, the club still requires planning approval from Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority.

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Councillor Liz Leffman, leader of the council, said: “A key factor for the cabinet in reaching this decision has been to bring long-term benefit to communities in Oxfordshire.

"We believe the new stadium has the potential to do this by providing local employment, education opportunities for our young people, much improved facilities for local sports groups, and securing the future of county’s only professional football league club, which has such a positive impact on many people’s lives."

Officers had proposed the sale of the land but following their debate at the cabinet meeting, councillors decided to opt for the leasing of the land.

While the lease has been agreed, important conditions have been imposed.

Oxford Mail: The area near The Triangle The area near The Triangle (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)These include that: 

- The club must be given planning permission by Cherwell District Council.

- The club must produce a net-zero plan that is fully costed and comes with clear timescales and outcomes from design, construction and full operation of the stadium.

- The club must provide detail of how it will meet the commitments made in its submissions to the county council so far.

- Restrictive covenants will be put in place that will set aside the use of the land for football/community sports and leisure/sports stadia for the term of the lease, with limited commercial activities permitted only within the stadium footprint.

Cllr Leffman said: "We have asked the club to spell these out as they now develop their plans through the planning process and we will insist on them through the conditions we place on a future contract.

"It is now for the club to demonstrate that they can develop the detailed proposals to meet the aspirations they set out in their statements to us and to the public. If they fail to do this, we will not sign.

Oxford Mail: Councillor Liz Leffman Councillor Liz Leffman “Once again, we would like to thank everyone who has taken part in this extensive and thorough process.

“The next step for the club is to submit a planning application, and residents will once again be able to share their views as part of this process.” 

The club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium runs out in 2026.

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: "Oxford City Council are strong supporters of Oxford United and their fans and have been over many decades, including providing land for their training facilities at Oxford Sports Park.

"We want what's in the best interests of Oxford United and the fans, and so we're delighted that Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to provide the club land to build a new stadium.

"If planning permission is granted, the stadium will not only provide the Us with a new home, it will become a hub for sport, entertainment and tourism that will support jobs and Oxfordshire's economy.

"With new training facilities and a new stadium secured, we hope Oxford United has the platform to thrive, grow and get back to the successes I remember growing up in Oxford in the 1980s."