These include a lease option for the land known as the Triangle and a collaboration agreement, which ensures the club meets its commitments against the council’s strategic priorities and to the local community and sports groups in both the short and long term.

This represents a significant milestone in helping the club secure a long-term home in the county.

OUFC will now focus all its attention on securing planning permission from Cherwell District Council for the new stadium, which is a requirement before the lease of the land can be completed.

The council’s cabinet agreed in principle for land known as the “triangle” to be leased at its meeting in September 2023.

Detailed negotiations have now led to heads of terms being agreed. A number of other key legal and partnership agreements will follow to meet the council's strategic objectives and also to ensure that the club fulfils its commitments to the local community and sports groups

This agreement represents positive progress in helping the club secure a long-term home in the county. However, while this is an important milestone, it is only one step in a wider process.

In addition to agreeing heads of terms, the lease of land comes with a number of conditions that the club must meet. These were agreed by the council’s cabinet in September 2023.

These include the club securing planning permission from Cherwell District Council, the production of a net zero carbon plan and a detailed set of proposals that show how the club will meet its commitments around addressing the council’s strategic priorities – including improving public transport, sustainable transport and infrastructure connectivity.

The county council is a statutory consultee in this planning application in its role as local highways authority and officers will continue to scrutinise the club’s plans in detail.

On 19 September the authority’s cabinet approved in principle the lease of county council owned land known as ‘the Triangle’. However, it also made clear that a future leasehold would only be signed if a number of conditions were met. These included the club securing planning permission from Cherwell District Council, the production of a net zero carbon plan, and a detailed set of proposals that show how OUFC will meet its commitments around addressing the council’s strategic priorities.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Dan Levy – who signed the letter jointly with the immediately previous Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Calum Miller – said: “We’re keen to work with the club to realise the shared objective of a community stadium which everyone in Oxfordshire can be proud of, whether they’re Oxford United fans or not.

“That’s why we’ve asked OUFC to produce a clear and detailed set of proposals that show how the club will meet the commitments it’s made. We feel it’s important for the club to demonstrate these commitments separately from the planning process, particularly as a number of them exceed the statutory requirement that will be assessed during the planning process.

“In our letter we’ve also set out our requirements around a credible and fully costed net zero carbon plan for the stadium. This covers areas from clean energy and water efficiency to waste management, sustainable transport and biodiversity.

“This is a real opportunity to put net zero at the heart of the design, build and operation of the new stadium and we welcome OUFC’s stated ambition to make the stadium one of the lowest carbon in the country. We look forward to receiving the club’s plans detailing how they will achieve this.”

The letter – published today – also seeks agreement to a timetable for the club to provide regular updates to the council so that progress can be reviewed and publicly reported.

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Should the council’s Cabinet approve the lease or sale of the land to the football club at its meeting of 19 September, Oxford United would still need to seek planning approval from Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority.

The officer recommendation comes with a qualification that the football club must produce a net-zero plan that is fully costed and comes with clear timescales and outcomes from design, construction and full operation of the stadium.

The recommendation for approval also includes the requirement for covenants that would set aside the use of the land for football/community sports and leisure/sports stadia in perpetuity, with limited ancillary commercial use within the stadium footprint.

A report summarising the public engagement undertaken in the summer, together with officers’ analysis of the club’s response to the council’s strategic priorities, will be considered by a meeting of the council’s Place and Overview Scrutiny Committee on 13 September before then being considered by Cabinet on 19 September as part of its final decision on whether to lease or sell the land to the club.

A total of 5,441 people and organisations responded to the public survey 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.

Just over two thirds of those who responded to the survey 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 cabinet and report to the scrutiny community.

Oxfordshire County Council Chief Executive Martin Reeves said: “Officers have made a recommendation for approval having looked carefully at a range of different information, including the views provided to us by those who took the time and care to respond. There are conditions attached to those recommendations including a net-zero requirement.

“It is now for cabinet members to debate this in public on 19 September and come to a final decision.

“They will no doubt look carefully at the results of engagement with the public and stakeholders during both 2022 and 2023. This has been extensive and thorough and the county council would once again like to sincerely thank everyone who has taken part for sharing their views.

“It should be stressed that, in the event that cabinet ultimately decides to 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.”

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The start of initial negotiations about land known as “the triangle” near Kidlington were approved at January’s cabinet meeting and have already begun. A memorandum of understanding has now been agreed at the 21 March meeting of the council’s cabinet along with a plan for engaging with stakeholders and local communities over the coming weeks and months.

Councillor Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Whether or not a stadium is built at the triangle site is a significant decision for local people in this area, residents across the county and fans of Oxford United. As such, the decision and the process leading up to it needs to be as open and transparent as possible.

“We know that it is an urgent project for the club, who have outlined their need to find an alternative home before 2026. We are committed to responding promptly to them and to taking decisions in a timely way. That’s why officers were in touch with the club the day after the January cabinet meeting and regular discussions have been taking place ever since.

“We have now approved a timetable for the next stages and a memorandum of understanding with the club on the process in the coming months. The first step is for the club to provide further detailed proposals. We know they are working to deliver these.

“We have built into the proposed timetable a period of public and stakeholder engagement that will commence as soon as the club’s proposals have been received. It will focus on whether the club’s proposals address the council’s seven strategic priorities for the use of the land. In the meantime, we are encouraging the club to undertake their own engagement with local residents as their plans develop. 

“We want everyone to be able to share their views with us before we take a final decision. The club’s need to find a new home is well understood, but any decision we take has to be guided by the overarching aim of whether it brings benefit to our community in Oxfordshire.”

What does the memorandum of understanding say?

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requires Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford United FC to agree to:

• Work constructively to allow informed decision-making by the cabinet within an agreed timeframe (recognising that planning processes will inevitably have an impact on the timeframe).
• Recognise that the development and location of the stadium is not without contention, and both parties will seek to engage with stakeholders and promote debate and discussion that is constructive and respectful.
• Approach all discussions with a spirit of honesty, openness and transparency, sharing information freely to progress the decision-making.
• Attempt to resolve any disagreements or differences of opinion constructively, utilising an objective third party if required. 
• Note that the county council’s participation in these discussions is predicated on supporting and recognising the community role, legacy and heritage of the club. The council is not offering financial support to the club for the construction of the stadium or the running of the club. 
• Undertake engagement with stakeholders and local communities. For OUFC this will ensure community views are taken into account as part of the scheme development; for the county council this will help assess the extent to which the council’s seven objectives for the use of the land (set out below) have been met.
• Recognise the commercial viability and plans of the club are outside the scope of this working partnership and the county council is not inclined to support additional enabling development that is not aligned to the strategic priorities as set out above.
• Recognise the role of Cherwell District Council (CDC) as the planning authority and ensure that communications and engagement undertaken by the club or the county council do not impact on this process. Note that planning engagement with CDC will be undertaken by OUFC as the scheme developer and not Oxfordshire County Council as the landowner.
• Recognise that, in the event of the MOU being broken, either party has the right to walk away from these discussions.  

What conditions has the county council already set out?

For Oxford United to receive in-principle agreement from the council to lease or buy the triangle site, their proposal must address the seven strategic priorities set out by the council for the use of the land. It must also meet objectives around mitigating long-term financial risk to the council and obtaining best value for the taxpayer from any transaction. These were agreed at the 24 January cabinet meeting.

The seven strategic priorities are:

• Maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington
• Improve access to nature and green spaces
• Enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support
• Significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use
• Develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire
• Increase education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing
• Support the county council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through highly sustainable development.

The county council’s engagement will focus on the extent to which stakeholders are satisfied that OUFC’s proposals address the council’s strategic priorities set out above. It will be divided into two phases.

1. Targeted stakeholder engagement, which is designed to capture early views on how OUFC’s emerging plans meet the council’s objectives. These views will feed into ongoing discussions with the club.
2. A small number of ‘listening’ events with invited groups of stakeholders, together with open engagement over a six-week period.

The results of these engagement exercises will be analysed and reported to the county council’s cabinet prior to its decision on whether to make the land at the triangle available to OUFC.

Further details can be found in the cabinet report. There is also information on the council’s website at  www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stadium

Oxfordshire County Council is not the final decision-maker on whether or not the scheme receives planning consent. Any final proposal by the club would need to be put through the planning process at Cherwell District Council, which will include public consultation.

The start of negotiations about land known as “the triangle” near Kidlington were approved at January’s cabinet meeting and have already begun. A memorandum of understanding is proposed for agreement at the 21 March cabinet meeting along with a plan for engaging with stakeholders and local communities over the coming weeks and months.

Councillor Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This is a significant decision for fans of Oxford United, local people in this area and residents across the county so the decision and the process leading up to it needs to be as open and transparent as possible.

“We also know that it is an urgent project for the club, who have outlined their need to find an alternative home before 2026. We are committed to responding promptly to them and to taking decisions in a timely way. That’s why officers were in touch with the club the day after the January cabinet meeting and regular discussions have been taking place ever since.

“At our cabinet meeting on 21 March, we will be asked to approve a timetable for the next stages and a memorandum of understanding with the club on the process in the coming months.

“The first step is for the club to provide further detailed proposals. We know they are working to deliver these.

“We are building into the proposed timetable a period of public and stakeholder engagement that will commence as soon as the club’s proposals have been received. It will focus on whether the club’s proposals address the council’s seven strategic priorities for the use of the land. We are also encouraging the club to continue to undertake their own engagement with local residents and fans as their plans develop. 

“We want everyone to be able to share their views with us before we take a final decision. The club’s need to find a new home is well understood, but any decision we take has to be guided by the overarching aim of whether it brings benefit to our community in Oxfordshire.”

What would the memorandum of understanding say?

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would require Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford United FC to agree to:

• Work constructively to allow informed decision-making by the cabinet within an agreed timeframe (recognising that planning processes will inevitably have an impact on the timeframe).
• Recognise that the development and location of the stadium is not without contention, and both parties will seek to engage with stakeholders and promote debate and discussion that is constructive and respectful.
• Approach all discussions with a spirit of honesty, openness and transparency, sharing information freely to progress the decision-making.
• Attempt to resolve any disagreements or differences of opinion constructively, utilising an objective third party if required. 
• Note that the county council’s participation in these discussions is predicated on supporting and recognising the community role, legacy and heritage of the club. The council is not offering financial support to the club for the construction of the stadium or the running of the club. 
• Undertake engagement with stakeholders and local communities. For OUFC this will ensure community views are taken into account as part of the scheme development; for the county council this will help assess the extent to which the council’s seven objectives for the use of the land (set out below) have been met.
• Recognise the commercial viability and plans of the club are outside the scope of this working partnership and the county council is not inclined to support additional enabling development that is not aligned to the strategic priorities as set out above.
• Recognise the role of Cherwell District Council (CDC) as the planning authority and ensure that communications and engagement undertaken by the club or the county council do not impact on this process. Note that planning engagement with CDC will be undertaken by OUFC as the scheme developer and not Oxfordshire County Council as the landowner.
• Recognise that, in the event of the MOU being broken, either party has the right to walk away from these discussions.  

What conditions has the county council already set out?

For Oxford United to receive in-principle agreement from the council to lease or buy the triangle site, their proposal must address the seven strategic priorities set out by the council for the use of the land. It must also meet objectives around mitigating long-term financial risk to the council and obtaining best value for the taxpayer from any transaction. These were agreed at the 24 January cabinet meeting.

The seven strategic priorities are:

• Maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington
• Improve access to nature and green spaces
• Enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support
• Significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use
• Develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire
• Increase education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing
• Support the county council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through highly sustainable development.

The county council’s engagement will focus on the extent to which stakeholders are satisfied that OUFC’s proposals address the council’s strategic priorities set out above. It will be divided into two phases.

1. Targeted stakeholder engagement, which is designed to capture early views on how OUFC’s emerging plans meet the council’s objectives. These views will feed into ongoing discussions with the club.
2. A small number of ‘listening’ events with invited groups of stakeholders, together with open engagement over a six-week period where anyone can share feedback using an online response form.

Oxfordshire County Council is not the final decision-maker on whether or not the scheme receives planning consent. Any final proposal by the club would need to be put through the planning process at Cherwell District Council, which will include public consultation.

Discussions to secure information and undertakings that meet the county council’s objectives will continue. Any final decision regarding the leasing of the land will be taken in public by a future cabinet meeting, based on whether the council’s objectives have been met.

The land in question is east of Frieze Way/south of Kidlington roundabout. It is known as “the triangle”. OUFC has provided the council with information consistent with the first stage of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) pathway for developing proposals (stage 0). This means there is still considerable detail to be developed by the club.

The site has the advantage of being close to Oxford Parkway railway station and park and ride at Water Eaton, which would enable greater walking, cycling, bus and rail use among fans. However, the council remains mindful that – as with the previously proposed site at Stratfield Brake – it is in the green belt.

Cllr Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The cabinet has today agreed that the council should open legal negotiations with OUFC on its request for land for a new stadium at ‘the triangle’ site. These will take place alongside the ongoing discussions with the club to get to the point where a firm proposal can be published for consideration.

“Many people have questions about what the new stadium will look like and how matches will be managed for fans and local residents. There will be regular opportunities for the club to engage with the public about their plans as they develop. As the plans on which any final cabinet decision would be based are published, sufficient time will be allowed to seek the views of a wide-range of stakeholders. The cabinet will take into consideration the results of this engagement as part of its decision-making.

“Oxford United is close to the hearts of thousands of people across this county. We understand how strongly supporters wish to see the club secure a new and enduring home. We will work constructively and openly with the club to help them achieve a long-term home in the county and a sustainable future.

“When it comes to this proposal, it is important to stress that the county council has not today given the club a green light to develop a new stadium. We have agreed to start detailed negotiations on the terms on which Oxfordshire County Council land could be offered.

“The club should be clear from today that the county council has clearly set-out objectives that this development must meet. To receive agreement from the council, the proposal must have a positive impact on the lives of people in Oxfordshire - it needs to bring improvements that will benefit residents in years to come.”

Oxford United will now be required to provide further information and undertakings before any final agreement is entered into. The decision taken by cabinet requires that any legal agreement with OUFC should be consistent with the county council’s strategic priorities, by achieving the following seven objectives for the use of the council’s land. These are:

• Maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington
• Improve access to nature and green spaces
• Enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support
• Significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use
• Develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire
• Increase education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing
• Support the county council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through highly sustainable development

Meanwhile the report to cabinet also sets out objectives around managing financial risk and obtaining best value for the taxpayer from any transaction.

Taking account of the recommendations around consultation, cabinet has asked officers to identify further opportunities for meaningful engagement with stakeholders as proposals are developed and impacts clearly identified.

Were cabinet to be satisfied that these objectives had been met and secured through a draft legal agreement, planning permission would be required from Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority.

In early 2022 the council ran a public engagement exercise to better understand the opportunities and concerns relating to the stadium proposal. More than 3,700 people responded from across the county and beyond. Overall, a strong majority expressed support for us to begin discussions with the club. However, a majority of local residents expressed reservations.

Cllr Calum Miller added: “Discussions have been taking place between the council and the club since late 2021. We are now adding negotiations on the potential legal and commercial terms to those discussions, but there are still critical pieces of information that we require from the club before any agreement could proceed.

“We have already taken the results of the engagement exercise conducted in early 2022 into account. These highlighted concerns and challenges associated with the Stratfield Brake site and the scale of OUFC’s proposals to lease 18 hectares of land for the development of a football stadium alongside hotel, retail and conference facilities, and training/community grounds. 

“In response officers recommended a smaller site of approximately 5 hectares for the provision of a stadium only, which is separated from Kidlington and Gosford by two major roads. Use of this site would not impact community sports facilities or access to Stratfield Brake and the land owned by the Woodland Trust as a community amenity. We are, however, very mindful that this site is also in the green belt.

“In summary, this is the continuation of a process, not the end of one. There remain clear objectives that the club must prove it will meet before the county council would consider agreeing to provide the land at the Triangle.  The county council will seek the views of a wide range of stakeholders before reaching any final decision.”

Discussions have been taking place between the council and the club since late 2021 about leasing council-owned land for the development of an 18,000-capacity football stadium. In March 2022, the cabinet asked officers to seek further information from the club on their proposals. This information was provided in November 2022.

A site at Stratfield Brake in Kidlington had initially been proposed by the club, but it was recognised there were considerable challenges associated with it. Officers have now identified another potential location between Oxford and Kidlington and are discussing its suitability with the club.

The alternative site is located south of Kidlington roundabout, west of Banbury Road and east of Frieze Way.

The decision about whether or not to enter into formal negotiations with OUFC about the lease of land will be taken in public at a cabinet meeting on 24 January. It is important to recognise that a decision by cabinet would not give a green light to go ahead with the development of the stadium. This would be subject to the full democratic planning process, led by the local planning authority Cherwell District Council.

Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Earlier this year we ran a public engagement exercise to better understand the opportunities and concerns relating to the stadium proposal. More than 3,700 people responded from across the county and beyond. Overall, a strong majority expressed support for us to begin discussions with the club. However, a majority of local residents expressed reservations.

“We listened to the many points raised during our engagement exercise and began exploratory discussions with the club with clear principles in mind. These include maintaining a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington, improving public access to high-quality green spaces, enhancing facilities for local sports groups, developing local employment opportunities and increasing education opportunities for our young people.

“Any development must have a positive impact on the lives of people in Oxfordshire both in this specific locality and beyond – it needs to bring improvements that will benefit residents in years to come.

“We listened carefully to feedback from local residents and have taken account of the concerns they raised. The alternative site is separated from Kidlington and Gosford by two major roads, while the current leasing arrangement means its use would not impact community sports facilities or access to Stratfield Brake as a community amenity.

“The new site also has the advantage of being close to Oxford Parkway railway station and the Park and Ride, which would enable greater walking, cycling, bus and rail use among fans. We are, however, very mindful that – like Stratfield Brake − the site is in the green belt.

“As the county‘s only professional football league club, we know that Oxford United is close to the hearts of thousands of people across this county. The club has a long and distinguished history and is an integral part of the county’s heritage and presence.

“We fully recognise the challenges facing OUFC and we are doing everything we can to help them achieve a long-term home in the county and a sustainable future.

“Our officers are reviewing all the information and the responses received and will be making a clear recommendation to cabinet about whether or not to enter into formal negotiations with the club about the potential use of land for the development of a stadium.

“The cabinet will now debate this on 24 January and decide whether they agree with the recommendation from officers. If the cabinet decides to enter formal negotiations with OUFC, any final proposal by the club would then need to be put through the planning process at Cherwell District Council, which provides further opportunities for the public to provide their views before elected members take a decision.”

In January 2022 officers were asked to conduct a public engagement exercise to understand better the opportunities and concerns relating to the stadium proposal. A total of 3,740 responses were received. Further details can be found here.

The football club has asked the county council to transfer 18 hectares/44.48 acres of land that it owns at Stratfield Brake in Kidlington for 250 years. In addition to the stadium, the club’s proposal includes facilities such as a hotel, retail, conferencing and training and community grounds.

At its 18 January meeting the council’s Cabinet concluded it did not have sufficient information to give its approval for officers to enter into negotiations with both the club and the council’s current tenants on the land.

The Cabinet decided that there should first be a period of engagement with the public and local organisations on the principle of entering negotiations and on the council’s objectives for the use of the land. This will run from 25 January at 5pm to 22 February.

It also instructed officers to move forward with exploratory discussions with OUFC and with its existing tenants and sub-tenants at Stratfield Brake. It requested that a recommendation on whether to proceed with negotiations be made to its meeting on 15 March.

Cllr Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This is a very significant proposal. There are implications for the people of Oxfordshire in general and residents in this area in particular as well as for the environment, the wider economy and job creation and the future of the county’s only professional football club.

“Very careful consideration was given at our Cabinet meeting as to whether we had sufficient information to authorise officers to start negotiations with the club.

“In the last week, it has been clear that many local residents and interested individuals and organisations want more time to consider the idea and to share their views with the County Council. The Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance is committed to participatory, open and transparent decision-making.

 “These initial exchanges of view have highlighted a number of important issues. Rather than rushing into a decision today, we have asked officers to run a four-week public engagement exercise so that we can hear the views of those who care about this proposal. We hope that this will help us understand the views of the public on whether to proceed and, if so, which principles to apply to the negotiation.

 “We appreciate that Oxford United face a tight timeline as they seek to secure a new home for their matches from 2026. We have asked officers to continue exploratory conversations with the club to address some of the issues that have been raised already and to take account of what we hear during the engagement exercise.

 “When the Cabinet meets in March, we will then have more information on which to base a decision on whether to enter into formal negotiations.”

How is the land currently used?

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) purchased part of the land at Stratfield Brake in 1937 to provide a strategic gap between north Oxford and Kidlington – the site is in the green belt. It is currently leased by OCC to Cherwell District Council.

Part of the site is already sports ground. OUFC has proposed that the football club will take responsibility for the cost to replace or mitigate the loss of any community sports facilities at Stratfield Brake. 

 The county council is not prepared to relinquish its current lease to the Woodland Trust which has land at Stratfield Brake. It is therefore not part of any proposal being considered.

 Part of the site is currently let on a short-term basis to Foxcotte Fencing Limited, with the council having the ability to break the lease on 12 months’ notice.

How will the public engagement exercise be run?

This public engagement will run from 25 January at 5pm to 22 February on the council’s digital consultation and engagement platform https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stratfield-brake-land-use-proposal-2022

Local people and organisations will be able share their views on whether the County Council should start negotiations and, if so, which principles should guide any negotiations.

The football club has asked the county council to lease 18 hectares/44.48 acres of land that it owns at Stratfield Brake for 250 years. Apart from the stadium the club’s proposal also includes facilities such as a hotel, retail, conferencing and training and community grounds.

 The council’s cabinet will discuss the proposal to lease its land to OUFC at its meeting on January 18. Officers have recommended that councillors give approval for the council to enter into negotiations with the club and the council’s current tenants on the land.

 The report that will be presented to cabinet sets out the council’s core principles in terms of how council-owned land should be used and against which the proposal will be tested by cabinet members in making their decision on January 18.

 For cabinet to give approval to enter negotiations with the football club the council would want to be assured in the following areas:

• Enhanced facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support;
• Significant improvements to the infrastructure connectivity in the location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use;
• Development for local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire.
• Increased education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing;
• Support for the council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through high sustainable development;

 The report makes clear that if the proposal is agreed the county council would like to see any planning proposal recognise the importance of the green belt by including greater public access to green spaces.

 The county council has also been very clear in the report that it is not prepared to relinquish its current lease to the Woodland Trust which has land at Stratfield Brake. It is therefore not part of any proposal being considered.

 What happens next?

• The county council’s cabinet will debate the proposal on January 18
• Should approval be given for officers to open negotiations with the football club these would then take place.
• Should the council and the club then subsequently agree on a way forward, the club would need to submit a planning application to Cherwell District Council.

Premiership counterparts might be used to training breaks in exotic parts of the world, but the Kassam Stadium based team had very good reasons for staying local.

The purpose of the day was to gain an understanding of the physical requirements of becoming a firefighter. The tests focussed on teamwork and communication, similar to skills needed in football.

The football club and county fire service are building on their community partnership, launched last month to promote anti-discrimination, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Players tested their strength and dexterity by attempting a number of challenges including a ladder lift, carrying firefighting equipment, and a casualty ‘drag’ evacuation test.

Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “This was the first of a number of initiatives planned for coming months. We’re going to be working closely with Oxford United to bring firefighters and footballers closer together to understand each other’s role and discuss the benefits of tolerance, showing how diverse communities can thrive, and taking a strong stance against discrimination.

“This will be delivered through different activities and live discussions between footballers and firefighters, jointly promoting our respective campaigns: Fire Doesn’t Discriminate and Neither Do We, and Oxford United’s support for the football community’s Kick it Out initiative.”

Karl Robinson, Oxford United Manager, said: “It's a fantastic initiative and we are proud to be working with the fire service. There are lots of similarities between what we do and how the fire service operates, but the central one for me is that everyone is welcome. There are some exciting ideas for us to work together on and I look forward to being part of that in the coming months.”

Rob MacDougall has already recorded an interview for Oxford United’s YouTube sharing his personal passion for equality, diversity and a no tolerance attitude to discrimination.

His attitude is reflected in Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s ongoing recruitment campaign.

Rob explains: “If you want a rewarding career as part of your local firefighting team, we want to hear from you. We aim to become an employer of choice in parts of our community where we are currently underrepresented, whether this is gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

“We want to attract people who will bring a diversity of life experience and an understanding of the many different cultures, communities and religions that make Oxfordshire such a vibrant and diverse place to live.”

For further information about becoming an on-call firefighter, and other employment opportunities in Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, email fire.recruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes

Ladder lift test

The ladder lift test simulates the individual physical demands of lifting the head of a 13.5m ladder back on top of a fire appliance.

Confined space test

The confined space crawl is a test of the candidate’s ability to cope with dark and confined spaces and has only low-moderate physical demands, although good levels of flexibility and body awareness will be an advantage.

Equipment assembly

The equipment assembly test is designed to test manual dexterity. It involves assembling and then disassembling a piece of equipment following a demonstration by the safety officer.

Equipment carry test

The equipment carry test is essentially a shuttle test that is designed to replicate some of the physical demands involved in setting up a water relay station to supply water to a grassland fire.

Casualty ‘drag’ evacuation test

The casualty evacuation requires the candidate to walk backwards (they will be guided by a safety officer) dragging a 55kg (75% of the weight of an average person) dummy around three sides of a square.

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Oxford United players and staff, and firefighters in the image above are:

Jon Walker, Dan Harris, George Franklin, Owen Giles, Erion Zabelli, Ibby Sankoh, Joshua Johnson, Gatlin O’Donkor, Enrique Tiamuna, Amari Davis-Stephenson, Matt Jarvis.

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