THE fate of the Oxford Stadium has taken another twist with the city council drawing a line in the sand in its efforts to thwart developers from knocking it down.

But campaigners would be wise to continue their fight and not get complacent that council planners hold an Ace up their sleeve.

As we report today, the council has received two applications for demolition and is demanding environmental impact assessments.

Bob Price, the leader, says it is taking a strong line against any development on the site and the facility is an important part of the community.

Savills, the agent for owner Galliard Homes, has been rather limited in its public utterance on that point but it would be fair to guess it disagrees and so the whole issue has been thrown on to the plate of Eric Pickles, the local government secretary.

It will be interesting to see which way Mr Pickles goes on the issue.

There is certainly merit to the point the council and campaigners make that once you bowl the stadium it is gone for good and the building of homes there would be a fait accompli.

But conversely – to paraphrase an episode of Auf Weidersehen, Pet – you can’t have any construction without a bit of demolition.

The stadium was a treasured facility but campaigners would be much better viewing the council’s position as one that will delay rather than derail Galliard.

Thankfully Save Oxford Stadium seems to be fully aware that the fight must go on.