A battle in the High Court today over a right of way could decide the future of Oxford United's new stadium.

Taking shape: The south stand at United's new stadium

After a four-year delay, building work at Minchery Farm stadium re-started last October after city councillors agreed to grant planning permission for a multi-million pound leisure development next door.

But now the future of the long-awaited development is again in the balance because a neighbouring landowner claims he has a right of way across the site.

Les Wells has already won the right to a judicial review hearing in the High Court to contest planning permission for the leisure scheme. It will be heard on April 2.

Today, he was facing the city council in the High Court over the right of way issue.

David Taylor, the council's corporate services manager, said: "The issue centres on rights of way across the stadium site.

We would not embark on court action if we had no prospect of winning."

Mr Wells said his right of way ran right across the stadium site, and although he did not want the stadium pulled down, he wanted compensation.

"This should have been sorted out before building work started," he said.

"How much compensation I should get for this right of way, I don't know.

It could be £20,000 but that would be down to professional advisers."

Last month, when Mr Wells won the right to a judicial review in the High Court to challenge the leisure complex plans, Oxford United owner Firoz Kassam warned that the future of the club was in doubt. Referring to the right of way hearing, Mr Kassam said: "If this goes against the city council, it could have consequences for the continuation of building work at the stadium.

"If the council is successful, we still have to wait a month for the judicial review."

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