Oxford United's project preparing for a new stadium in Kidlington has won an industry award amid criticism from some members of the community. 

The scheme picked up the deal of the year at the OxPropFest Awards which was presented by Dame Katherine Grainger, who won gold rowing for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

More than 300 leaders from Oxfordshire’s property, science and innovation sectors attended the black-tie ceremony, which was celebrating its seventh year at the historic Keble College in the city centre. 

It marks the second time the club’s new stadium project has been recognised after it scooped the ESG Strategy Award in July at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards. 

Jonathon Clarke, development director, said: “Our proposed move to The Triangle near Kidlington represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a truly spectacular new home and secure the long-term future of the club. 

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Jonathan Clarke and Tim Williams, Oxford United managing director, receiving the award (Image: Contributed) “Beyond benefits to the club and its supporters, we’re committed to delivering a multi-functional Oxfordshire hub which positively contributes to communities both within and outside our catchment areas. 

“We’re pleased these commitments have been recognised as it highlights our determination to deliver a world-class stadium that embraces modern technology and design in every element of the development. 

“Our thanks go to the OxPropFest Awards for their hospitality on the evening, to the judging panel and to all the other finalists and winners.” 

The club expects the planning application for its new stadium proposal to be considered in early 2025.

These plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, gym and a community plaza.

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Oxford United stadium plans (Image: Contributed) Some concerns have been raised over the move.

Ian Middleton, leader of the Green party on Cherwell District Council, said: “It’s hardly surprising that a self-congratulatory property industry forum would see Oxford’s land grab in Kidlington as the ‘deal of the year’.

"I’d probably go so far as to say that, for OUFC, it could even be the deal of the century given how accommodating the county council appear to have been in handing over publicly-owned land with scant regard for the impact this may have on the local population. 

Ian Middleton Ian Middleton (Image: Contributed)

“Regular road closures around the site are still proposed in the planning application despite widespread local opposition and public guarantees from senior members of Oxfordshire County Council that they would be resisted, whilst other concerns raised by the local community over the past two years have also been largely ignored or trivialised. 

“So yes, I’m sure this is a great deal for OUFC, but probably not for the local community who are going to have to deal with the consequences.”

For more details about the plans, visit oufcstadium.co.uk. 

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: “These are matters for Cherwell District Council as planning authority to address. The club is required to secure planning permission as part of its obligations in the option to lease the land from the county council.”