PLANS for a major new sports park in the city that could include a new training ground for Oxford United are set to be decided on in the new year.

A huge site next to the Mini plant off Horspath Road, Cowley, is set to be transformed into a major sports complex including football and cricket pitches, a pavilion with changing facilities and a 150-space car park.

BMW is contributing £4.9m to the development in a major deal struck with Oxford City Council for the site.

The planning application has now been submitted and more details revealed including discussions with British Cycling about building a circuit track.

This evening, leader Bob Price said the facilities, which could be available to use from 2018, would be affordable to all and said it would provide a 'fantastic boost for sport in the city'.

Mr Price said he was in talks with U's chairman Darryl Eales about moving the club's training ground to the new site.

And it is understood space has been allocated for the club’s buildings in the plans revealed yesterday.

Mr Price added: "It's the biggest sports project we have done in a very long time and it's very exciting.

"The new facility will be a very welcome addition to the city’s ability to meet the needs of the huge demands for good quality football and cricket pitches.

"We have had discussions with the club [Oxford United] and are in regular contact about it. It's an important relationship and the club is so important for the city.

"I look forward to being able to start the work on site early next summer."

The sports park, which would cover 39 acres, will replace the United's current training ground which is currently on land nearby owned by the Mini plant.

The current site, which covers 25 acres, features four full-sized grass football pitches, two grass 9v9 football pitches and two small sided grass football pitches.

Included in the new plans are three full-sized football pitches, two nine-a-side pitches, three seven-a-side pitches, a goalkeeper practice area and eight small-sided 3G pitches.

Two cricket pitches, cricket nets, a pavilion with changing facilities and a 150-space car park will also feature in the new sports park.

The German car manufacturers struck the deal to fund the new facilities last year, after plant bosses wanted to demolish the old sports ground, which used to be run by the Rover Sports and Social Club which shut last September.

Jeremy Stoyle, chief financial officer for BMW manufacturing, said: "We have worked closely with the council to help develop a proposal that we believe is in the interests of everyone involved.

"Relocating and improving the existing sports facilities will bring real benefits to local people and gives us greater flexibility for our site in the future."

The city council is also in discussions with other sports clubs which have used the old site in the past, including Oxford Cricket Club and Oxford Softball, about moving to the new site.

Mr Price said he expected a decision to be made on the plans in February, with work starting in summer 2017.

He added: "We want to get moving pretty quickly and hopefully it will be ready by 2018.

"It will be affordable and it is very important it is affordable for everyone."

Fusion Lifestyle currently manages sports facilities including the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre in partnership with Oxford City Council, and will operate the sports park.

Tim Mills, director of business development at Fusion, said: "Fusion is really excited about the opportunity to create a new community sports facility at the Horspath Road site.

"We are working closely with the council to bring together plans which will ensure the facility is attractive and relevant to the people of Oxford and is financially sustainable."