THE path of any large project often feels like one step forward then two steps back, writes Oxford United Supporters’ Panel secretary Janine Bailey.

The progress made with the lease option being agreed in May was tempered by the news that the planning decision would now be delayed until after Christmas, to allow for more detail to be submitted.

Further twists and turns emerged this week when the county council acknowledged that it does not have the power to prevent matchday road closures, one of the contentious points for local residents.

It is the police and the Safety Advisory Groups who can order road closures for public safety, and that is what happens at most football grounds. If closures take place, they will be planned, publicised in advance and mostly take place at off-peak travel times. The disruption is likely to be much less than feared.

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Alongside the lease option mentioned above is a community collaboration agreement which was published last week. This details the steps that Oxford United must take to meet its commitments to the county council’s strategic priorities. It covers areas such as biodiversity, transport (including effective measures to control parking), local sports and wellbeing.

The club is already addressing some of the commitments through the planning application. This includes the establishing of a publicly accessible green space at the north of the site, incorporating biodiverse habitats with green walls, natural ponds, native hedges and wildflower planting.

In working towards net zero, there will be 46 electric vehicle charging points, 700 secure cycle parking spaces in the vicinity, air source heats pumps and 3,000m2 of solar panels.

The local community will benefit from the on-site facilities. A gym open to the public for at least 70 hours a week, additional accessible spaces available for the use of local sports groups and the wider community, and a multi-faith room for staff and visitors.

The club will provide funding to improve and maintain the pitches at Stratfield Brake and commits to sharing its expertise with advice and guidance to sports organisations in Kidlington.

The club has also already launched a £10,000 fund supporting not-for-profit groups to develop sport, health and wellbeing initiatives. Oxford United in the Community, which already delivers a range of programmes around the county, will bring its expertise into mental health and fitness programmes for Kidlington.

Although the focus is on Kidlington, the club commits to continuing its presence in East Oxford, running a range of community programmes from its Horspath Road training ground.

This demanding schedule of commitments will be monitored through regular reviews and the involvement of specialist mediation if necessary.

For supporters, many of whom are also local residents, this confirms the exciting vision of a stadium to be proud of, that all will be able to enjoy.