Oxford United are looking at short-term options for their home games during the period between the lease at the Kassam Stadium expiring and the new proposed stadium being ready.

Following requests from Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council for additional information and studies, the club expects the planning application for its new stadium proposal to be considered in early 2025.

The plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space, gym and a community plaza.

(Image: Oxford United)

The lease at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026 with the club confirming it is "actively exploring alternative short-term provision".

On May 10, the U’s announced that a legally binding lease option with the county council, for land at The Triangle, south of Kidlington Roundabout, had been signed, in addition to a community collaboration agreement.

Jonathan Clarke, Oxford United Development Director, said: “We’re fully committed to following the planning process, supporting the planning department in their review and delivering on our vision.

“We have made excellent progress recently with the signing of the lease option.

“Although this process took longer than originally envisaged, it has provided a platform for the club to move forward with confidence.

“We are now focused on obtaining the necessary planning permissions and preparing for the build.

“It is common that large-scale developments, especially ones within a Green Belt area, require additional modelling and careful examination. 

“We look forward to fulfilling all the requests for additional information and submitting further details in due course.”

Cherwell District Council told Oxford United earlier this month that "more detail" is needed for the stadium plans to be approved.

It came as part of a six-page letter to the club’s planning consultant Ridge asking for more information.

The letter revealed that Oxfordshire County Council, which is the local highway authority, “cannot fully assess” the planning application in relation to traffic and transport until further information has been provided.

This includes data on how the Chiltern Railway car park at Parkway will operate and modelling on how the local highway network will operate on matchdays.

Modelling will also be required for any other uses during the peak rush hours when the local highway network is “most heavily congested”, the council added.

The letter went on to highlight Thames Valley Police’s objection pending further information that is required by the force for their approval including match day management, road closures and counter-terrorism.

The proposed stadium would be the first all-electric stadium in the UK and includes a safe standing allocation, sensory room, 130 wheelchair spaces and wellbeing gardens.  

The lease option agreement includes provisions to ensure Oxford United’s right to play at the stadium is secured, along with safeguards on rent and use of facilities.

The community collaboration agreement formalises the club’s commitment to social, environmental and economic benefits for the community, as outlined in the seven strategic priorities set by the council.