New backing for stadium rescue

Up to 150 people voted in favour of a deal which would see the stadium at Minchery Farm, Littlemore, completed with a hotel and leisure complex alongside.

United's new owner, Firoz Kassam, warned the meeting at Peers School last night that the deal would only go ahead if planning permission for a multiplex cinema was agreed.

A planning application for the cinema has yet to be submitted. Mr Kassam said: "My position is that the only way the scheme can work is that we get planning permission for the cinema. If this is forthcoming, then it could be completed within nine to 12 months."

A decision on the cinema could be taken out of the hands of Oxford City Council and be referred to Environment Secretary John Prescott.

Mr Kassam added: "The club would not survive the time it takes for the Secretary of State to look at the planning permission."

City council leader John Tanner said: "As a land owner we would like a multiplex cinema at Minchery Farm. "Our planning committee have to decide and I hope we wouldn't have any problem. They have to be seen to be independent.

"The Government might call it in and that might be a problem. But what we should be saying to the Government is that this is a viable scheme that has the backing of people."

John McKiernan, of Alice Smith Square, Littlemore, said: "It is a good thing for the city and for the area, especially for Blackbird Leys and all the estates that keep springing up over there. "I feel more optimistic than I have for some time. Let's get the ground finished."

He was greeted by thunderous applause.

James Schall, of Kidlington, said it was unfair that people had to travel to places like Swindon or High Wycombe to go to a multi- plex cinema.

"I thank the council for this development," he added.

Story date: Wednesday 21 April

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.