AN Irish entrepreneur who wants to bring Oxford Stadium back into use says planning permission for homes on the site would ring its death knell.

Paschal Taggart announced his intention to buy the empty shell of the stadium two weeks ago.

But he said dreams of the site being used for dog racing and speedway again would be dashed if Galliard Homes gets permission to build 225 homes in its place.

The homebuilder, which has links to the site’s owner the Greyhound Racing Association, is expected to submit a bid in the next few weeks through planning agent Savills.

Mr Taggart, a former Irish Greyhound Board chairman who last year submitted plans for a £30m redevelopment of Wimbledon Stadium, said planning permission would significantly increase the value of the site.

He said: “It’s worth a lot more with planning on it for homes.

“It’s up to the planners. If they get the planning permission, it’s all over, there’s no question of that, it’s a straight call.”

The stadium closed on December 29 after the GRA announced it was no longer viable as a business.