Bicester MP candidates share views on Oxford United stadium

The proposals for the 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as The Triangle include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, gym and a community plaza.

These plans have previously been met with a mixed response from householders and campaign groups, as well as from Oxford United fans backing the move.

Veronica Oakeshott, Labour candidate for Bicester and Woodstock who lives in Kidlington, said she believes the stadium plans should go ahead.

Veronica Oakeshott, Labour candidate for Bicester and Woodstock (Image: Contributed)

She said: "I think the OUFC stadium should go ahead as long as we can keep traffic moving for residents of Kidlington.

"I'm a resident of Kidlington, so I've got skin in the game.

"I don't want to be stuck in traffic every time I try to get to and from Oxford. And we need to protect residents’ parking - this is all eminently achievable.

"This is a great opportunity for a significant investment in our community.

"It'll be a big boost for local businesses and a great leisure resource too, and I think we'll be proud to host our team."

Ian Middleton, Green candidate for Bicester and Woodstock, opposes the stadium plans.

Ian Middleton, Green candidate for Bicester and Woodstock (Image: Contributed)

He said: "As it stands at the moment I am opposed to the stadium plans progressing for numerous reasons, the most important being that the surrounding community have made it abundantly clear at every stage that they do not welcome it.

"It baffles me as to why OUFC have doggedly pursued this site which is smaller than their stated requirements and will probably have to operate in the face of local opposition on a day-to-day-basis.

"I really don’t think the club have fully understood the level of difficulty in delivering a project like this on this site and they would be better looking at easier alternatives."

Mr Middleton has "concerns" about the potential disruptions and "would push for a pause in the planning process" if elected. 

He continued: "There are serious concerns about the amount of disruption it would cause to the lives of local residents and even those further afield in terms of noise and other disruption, particularly with regard to roads and parking.

"As the local MP, I would push for a pause in the planning process for further open discussions between Oxfordshire County Council, OUFC and local community representatives to discuss the viability of the site and for alternative ways that I and other stakeholders could help the club find a more deliverable site, especially in view of their limited timescale.

"If the project did go ahead, I would seek more transparency about the proposed community benefits so that those who are supposedly going to be in receipt of those benefits can be properly informed and involved in agreeing what they may be."

Additionally, Conservatives’ Rupert Harrison told BBC Radio Oxford the current proposals are not going far enough to address these issues.

Rupert Harrison, Conservative candidate for Bicester and Woodstock (Image: Contributed)

Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat candidate, told the BBC he is supportive and believes the stadium will “come back with a solution”.

Calum Miller, Lib Dem candidate for Bicester and Woodstock (Image: Contributed)

The Bicester and Woodstock candidates standing in the general election are: Rupert Harrison (Conservatives), Veronica Oakeshott (Labour), Calum Miller (Liberal Democrats), Ian Middleton (Green), Augustine Obodo (Reform UK) and Tim Funnell (Social Democratic Party). 

All candidates were approached for a response.