Members of the Oxford community have tabled fresh concerns regarding the latest plans for Oxford United’s new stadium.

The club are looking at short-term options for their home games during the period between the lease at the Kassam Stadium expiring and the new proposed stadium becoming ready.

Oxford United expect the planning application for its new stadium proposal to be considered in early 2025.

These plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, gym and a community plaza.

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The club's image of what the new stadium could look like.The club's image of what the new stadium could look like. (Image: Oxford United)

Questions have been raised though over the obstacles in the way and the 2025 proposed date is being doubted by several county figures.

Ian Middleton, who is leader of the Green party on Cherwell District Council, said: “This is not a surprising turn of events.

“The club have consistently underestimated both the timescale and complexity of the project and the fact that so many questions were raised by the planning officer demonstrates how poorly they have understood the issues with the site.

“I’ve been warning the club since they first made these proposals that it would not be an easy project to complete.

“Apart from the significant local objections shown on the planning application, there are huge concerns over traffic management, particularly over road closures, which OCC said they would not countenance, yet the application seems to rely on them.

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“We’ve also yet to see their promised plans for a bridge from Parkway into the stadium site and the site being on green belt means there is probably going to need to be a public inquiry.

“It could even be subject to a judicial review given the strong local feeling against the project.

“With all that in the mix, I think 2025 may also be an optimistic date for any conclusion.”

The traffic management concerns have also been raised by others following the club’s announcement on Thursday (June 20). 

Suzanne McIvor, a member of Friends of Stratfield Brake, said: “The traffic modelling is a key component of Oxford United's planning application and was inevitably going to take months to complete.

“Following recent discussions with Oxfordshire County Council we now understand that the county council does intend to allow road closures on matchdays.

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Ian Middleton has raised concerns regarding the new stadium plans.Ian Middleton has raised concerns regarding the new stadium plans. (Image: Ian Middleton)

“This is despite Cllr Liz Leffman's assurance to the contrary when she wrote to the parish councils.

“It is entirely possible that the VISSIM traffic modelling will show that a stadium in this location, including road closures and diversions, would have an unacceptable impact on the strategic road network, which neither the police nor the Highways Authority will allow.”

The current lease at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026 with the club set to play two more seasons at the ground.

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