OXFORD City managing director Colin Taylor says the club’s plans to install an artificial pitch at Marsh Lane remain unchanged – despite confusion over their use at a higher level.

Last July, Conference clubs voted to allow artificial pitches in all three divisions from the start of the 2015/16 season and City were one of several clubs to announce their intention to install a 3G surface this summer.

However, it is understood the Football Association has advised clubs at this level to defer making any changes pending further discussions.

It means if City were to win promotion next season, there is a chance they would be unable to play home games on a 3G pitch.

Conference South champions Bromley have already postponed plans to install an artificial pitch at their Hayes Lane ground, but Taylor said City will press on with their own plans.

“Had we been successful in our promotion attempt this season we would have had to make a decision between the pitch or promotion, as Bromley have,” he said.

“But I’m confident that if we’re successful at the end of the coming season the powersthat-be will have changed their minds again.

“Certainly for the season after there’s no question in my mind that the Football League will have approved artificial pitches and the Conference will have followed suit.”

Planning permission for the new surface cannot be granted until the end of the public consultation process which is open until May 22.

Taylor said: “We just have to wait until we get the go-ahead from the planning department and if necessary we’ll talk to the league about playing away from home or ground-sharing, but obviously we don’t want it to come to that.

“We currently have four tenders out with different contractors for the work, so things are progressing.

“Originally we had planned to start work in the first week of May, so it’s not at the stage we would have liked it to be, but the contractors aren’t saying it’s not possible.”

The Oxford Mail contacted both the FA and Football Conference, but neither were able to clarify the situation.