A fire safety certificate for Oxford United's new 12,000-seater stadium is set to be approved by county councillors.

A report to Oxfordshire County Council's public protection committee on Monday, June 4 recommends that the Kassam Stadium, which will have three stands, should be awarded the certificate before the start of the new season on August 4.

The Kassam Stadium at Minchery Farm

The certificate is an updated version of the one allocated to the Manor Ground, the club's former stadium in Headington.

However, councillors are being warned that there are specific safety issues that need to be taken into account at the new stadium at Minchery Farm.

These include the amount of traffic the new facility will generate.

Residents in the Blackbird Leys area have been told by councillors that parking schemes will be introduced if fans start parking in residents' spaces.

Other matters which are considered before the certificate can be issued include the ground's capacity, safety management, policing, exit routes and gates, procedures for fire and other emergencies, and safety policy.

The committee report states: "Parking outside the stadium will be kept under review in the first few matches with a more detailed survey of residents' view as the season progresses.

"The junction from Grenoble Road at the Sandford junction on to the Henley Road could cause some concern for traffic joining at this junction at the end of a match.

"These parking and traffic issues...may have to be considered in the future if they appear to impinge on the safety of the stadium."

A safety advisory group, which includes representatives from the emergency services, the Football Licensing Authority, the club and supporters, will meet next month before the pre-season friendly games start, to test different aspects of the safety certificate.

There will be "tabletop" exercises, with live exercises to follow, as the management of the stadium settles down.

County council's emergency planning officer, John Kelly, has recommended that councillors should approve the safety certificate before the start of the new season.

Earlier this year, a small fire inside the entrance to the new stadium caused about £60,000 worth of damage but did not delay construction work.