Oxford United ‘Triangle’ venue plans delay

Article posted by Coliseum, June 27^th, 2024

Image: Oxford United FC

A decision on the planning application for the English Football League (EFL) Championship team Oxford United F.C.’s (UK) proposed new stadium has been delayed until early next year.

‘BBC’ stated that the proposals were submitted to the Cherwell District Council in February and a target decision date was set for June 21^st.

London (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales (UK). Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in the world, and was the top-level football league in England from its foundation until 1992 when the top 22 clubs split from it to form the Premier League (the highest level of the English football league system). The Football League was rebranded as the ‘English Football League’ (EFL) from the 2016-2017 seasons.

The English Football League Championship, known simply as the Championship in England and for sponsorship purposes as the Sky Bet Championship, is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and second-highest overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League, and is currently contested by 24 clubs.

The Oxford United Football Club is a professional association football club in the City of Oxford, England (UK). The team currently competes in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.

The 12,500-capacity Kassam Stadium (also known as the Grenoble Road) is the home of the Oxford United Football Club and is named after the ground’s Owner and the former Chairman of the football club Firoz Kassam.

The Oxford United F.C. plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium on a land known as the ‘Triangle’, near Kidlington (UK), and will include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference center, health and wellbeing space, gym, and a community plaza.

‘BBC’ further stated that the club, which won the League One play-off final at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium in Wembley (UK) last month, now say that a decision will not be made until early 2025.

Due to the delay, the club has warned it may need to find a temporary home during a gap between their lease at the Kassam Stadium expiring and the new stadium being completed.

The Championship club wants to build a 16,000-capacity venue on a land known as the ‘Triangle’, near Kidlington.

In a statement, ‘The U’s’ said the delay was due to additional work and modeling needing to be carried out to “provide further clarity” for the Planning Committee.

The club added it was “actively exploring alternative short-term provisions” for the period before the stadium could open.

Its current lease at the Kassam Stadium is due to expire in 2026.

Maintained Jonathan Clarke, Oxford United Development Director, “We’re fully committed to following the planning process, supporting the Planning Department in their review and delivering on our vision. We are now focused on obtaining the necessary planning permissions and preparing for the build.”

Last month, ‘The U’s’ signed a legally binding agreement with the Oxfordshire County Council that would see the authority lease the land on the ‘Triangle’ to the club for 250 years.

That deal would only come into action if the stadium application is approved by the Cherwell District Council.

The Oxfordshire County Council is the County Council for the non-Metropolitan County of Oxfordshire in the South East of England (UK). Established in 1889, it is an elected body responsible for the most strategic local Government services in the county.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 380 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue