THE journey to bringing dog racing back to Oxford has been a long one so far.

But by securing the site as an asset of community value, there is renewed hope and extra resolve from campaigners for it to finally happen. For too long the stadium has sat dormant, when it could be filled with crowds enjoying the entertainment.

Securing the ability to have six months to raise funds to buy the stadium is a significant step for the Save our Stadium group.

It means they will have the time, combined with their obvious desire and determination, to try to get the cash to put an acceptable bid in.

Of course, this all still depends on GRA Acquisitions, which has remained silent.

Its plans to demolish the stadium and build homes instead were thankfully thwarted by the city council last year. And despite a High Court battle, making the stadium a conservation area was another victory in preventing it from being developed.

But until GRA decides to sell the site, there is little else that can be done.

The city council held talks with the owners in May but have not heard anything since, but it must not let the site lay stagnant.

GRA needs to outline its vision for the stadium, or allow others the chance to bring it back to life.