People thanked for sharing their views on Oxford United stadium proposals, ahead of Cabinet decision on 19 September
People are being thanked for taking part in a public engagement exercise as regards the potential for Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) to build a new stadium on county council owned land known as ‘the Triangle’ near Kidlington.
A total of 5,441 people and organisations responded during June and July as the county council sought views on whether the club’s proposals address the council’s seven strategic priorities. The council owns the land in question.
Previous to this, a series of targeted, independently facilitated meetings with stakeholders were held in April and May to explore early views on the OUFC proposals. Public and stakeholder engagement had also taken place in 2022.
The report from the public engagement will be considered by a meeting of the council’s Place and Overview Scrutiny Committee on 13 September. Members of the public can apply to speak. It will then be considered by Cabinet on 19 September as part of its final decision on whether to lease or sell the land to the club.
Just over two thirds of those who responded were a resident of Oxfordshire (71 per cent). Overall a slim majority of Oxfordshire resident respondents felt the information provided by the club fully addressed the council’s seven strategies priorities, with percentages varying between 51 and 60 per cent depending on the priority.
There were, however, geographical variations, with respondents who live nearest to the proposed site holding the strongest reservations. The detailed report can be found in the report to the scrutiny committee.
Just over half (53 per cent) of those who responded were supporters of Oxford United, with 75 per cent of them living in Oxfordshire. A small number of responses came from business representatives, representatives of a group or organisation, and local councillors - but fewer than one per cent.
Oxfordshire County Council Chief Executive Martin Reeves said: “Our engagement with the public and stakeholders during both 2022 and 2023 has been extensive and thorough and the county council would like to sincerely thank everyone who has taken part for sharing their views.
“Many people have attended meetings or responded online and the feedback has been collated for the Place and Overview Scrutiny Committee to consider and pass on their recommendations to cabinet. The feedback received from the engagement will be used alongside a range of other detailed information to help inform Cabinet when they come to make this important decision on 19 September.”
Should cabinet ultimately approve the use of the land for the football club to build a new stadium, Oxford United would still need to seek planning approval from Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority.