Cherwell District Council has told Oxford United "more detail" is needed for the club's new stadium plans to be approved in Kidlington. 

It comes as part of a six-page letter to the club’s planning consultant Ridge asking for more information on United’s plans to build a 16,000 stadium on the land known as ‘The Triangle’.

The letter reveals that Oxfordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority, “cannot fully assess” the planning application in relation to traffic and transport until further information has been provided.

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This includes data on how the Chiltern Railway car park at Parkway will operate and modelling on how the local highway network will operate on matchdays.

Modelling will also be required for any other uses during the peak rush hours when the local highway network is “most heavily congested”, the council adds.

The club is said to have already undertaken surveys for matchdays and is processing the information, although the council said additional A34 southbound surveys will be required.

What the stadium would look like What the stadium would look like (Image: Oxford United) It is also requested that the modelling demonstrates how the traffic and the bus journey times are affected by the development, particularly during any of the proposed temporary closures of Oxford Road to vehicular traffic.

The council adds that more information is needed on how the proposed ‘cycle superhighway’ along Oxford Road will continue across the front of the stadium.

A minimum of 645 cycle spaces are also required, the council continued, with only 150 spaces proposed at the stadium in the current application.

The existing cycle parking spaces at Oxford Parkway cannot be counted towards the requirement for the stadium as these are for the station, the council states.

Should planning permission be granted, a shared path alongside Frieze Way will be requested by the council and speed limit reductions along the road should also come forward as part of the proposal.

National Highways have issued a holding direction that planning permission is not granted until June 26 to allow the club to supply the requested.

This is to allow a view to be formed as to the impact of the proposals on the A34.

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The council adds more data is required on the impact of health needs on residents in Kidlington and Oxford including life expectancy, air quality and sustainable travel.

The letter adds that Network Rail has also provided comments on the proposal in respect of Oxford Parkway but also in relation to the Sandy Lane and Yarnton Lane level crossings.

The train company have stated that any development which results in an increase in traffic using the rail crossings should be refused unless it can be demonstrated that their safety will not be compromised or serious measures are in place.

There have also been objections from the district council’s tree officer as well as requests for multiple wildlife surveys.

The club have also told they cannot use the playing pitch as part of its metric for grassland as it should be considered a “developed surface”.

(Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

The letter goes on to highlight Thames Valley Police’s objection pending further information required by the force including match day management, road closures and counter-terrorism.

The letter finished by asking the club to let the council know within two weeks, how long it anticipates it will take to prepare the required information so an expected submission date can be identified.

Suzanne McIvor, from Friends of Stratfield Brake, a group which campaigned against the stadium plan, said: “It is encouraging that Cherwell District Council’s planning officer has identified the significant errors, omissions and outstanding issues associated with OUFC’s planning application.

“This may be the moment that the club realises the Triangle is an unsuitable location”.

A spokesperson for Oxford United said: “It is a completely normal process with a large-scale development for the applicant to work closely with key stakeholders on developing the detail after planning has been submitted, particularly where this is supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment.

“This process is taking slightly longer than anticipated due to multiple factors including the play-offs and extensive feedback from statutory consultees.

“We look forward to providing all the requested additional information, much of which is already in hand. 

“The club will provide a more detailed update on the programme of work in due course.”