THE chairman of a supporters’ trust says it is crucial Oxford United fans have their say as a consultation for stadium plans moves into its final week.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet was recommended to approve United’s proposal to lease the site at Stratfield Brake, south of Kidlington, for 250 years.

This was with the view to building an 18,000-capacity stadium, community and sports grounds, hotel, and retail and conference facilities.

However, a decision was made to defer to allow more information to be gathered.

The consultation, which ends on Tuesday, allows residents and businesses to have their say, before the cabinet decides whether to let United enter into negotiations over the land at its meeting on March 15.

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Paul Peros, chairman of OxVox, says in order to get to the planning stage, it’s essential supporters take part in the public consultation.

He said: “It’s massively important for people to have their say, fans can log on and give their views – it’s such an important step.

“People also oppose it and they can of course do that, so it’s important for numbers that Oxford United fans give their opinion.

“We’ve always got to be sensitive of the fact people will have questions.

“We absolutely need to get to the planning stage, so the club can give detailed plans and outline how they will deal with certain things, like traffic.”

Peros added: “It’s important to get people on the survey, they can go on the OxVox site.

“It’s going to be a long journey with lots of battles to fight but this survey is the priority right now.

“In the next steps, the club can put in more detail and show the people of Kidlington what the plan is.

“The details that people are keen to see are for the planning stage and the club is respecting that, so it’s time to get to that stage.

“The survey is absolutely key.”

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Peros also praised the decision to open the public consultation, rather than approve United’s proposal, saying it has allowed the community to have its voice heard.

“It wasn’t a bad decision at all, we’re fans and members of this community, lots of us live in Kidlington and respect the people that live here, and it’s important for the community to have its voice heard,” he said.

“It’s important for anyone who is unsure, allowing us to get to planning because that’s where more information will be known.”

OxVox members have been a regular sight at the Kassam Stadium for recent games, gathering signatures of support for the stadium move.

Peros said: “It’s been brilliant, we’ve engaged with away fans too although we don’t want their input on the survey as that would nullify it somehow, as we want it to represent the local community.

“At the Bolton game, we were getting the message out to our supporters, and a lot of people didn’t realise how important the survey is.

“They were tiring and long days, but well worth it.

“In lockdown, one of the things we missed the most was talking to fans in person.”

The stadium consultation can be found at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk