OXFORD United’s new owners should ‘manage expectations’ regarding the club’s new stadium, according to villagers who are opposing the development.
The U’s want to lease almost 45 acres of Oxfordshire County Council-owned land at Stratfield Brake, south of Kidlington, for 250 years, but cannot do this without agreement from the tenants and sub-tenants at the site.
The club is looking to lease the land, with a view to building an 18,000-capacity stadium with community and sports grounds, and hotel, retail and conference facilities.
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The county council owns the land at Stratfield Brake, but it is leased to Kidlington Parish Council and Gosford & Water Eaton Parish Council via a lease which has 75 years to run and no break clause.
Following the announcement of the change of ownership of the football club last month, members of an action group opposing the plans are suggesting that the club ‘should be managing the expectations of its supporters’, as the stadium proposal at Stratfield Brake is ‘unlikely to proceed.’
Friends of Stratfield Brake, a group of residents whose aim is to represent opposition to the club’s plans to take over Stratfield Brake, said they believe that the parish councils’ interest in the lease was initially overlooked by the county council, which thought it could push the proposal through.
John Hill, a member of the group, said: “The new owners at OUFC seem to think their plan to take over Stratfield Brake is a done deal but there is massive opposition from local and Oxfordshire residents.
“Their proposal would destroy a vital part of the community and short change Oxfordshire residents who will see a valuable asset being effectively given away.
“Currently it is home for all sorts of recreational activities (which could be increased) and I firmly believe it should remain publicly owned and accessible to all, not ‘sold off’ for some wealthy individuals to profit from.
“Oxford United should abandon this stadium proposal and find a solution that doesn’t cause huge local disruption and destroy valuable green space.”
A spokesperson for Oxford United said: “The club welcomes all local feedback and has never under-estimated the challenge of proceeding with our new stadium project.
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“Our overarching aim remains the same; secure a world-class home for OUFC and maximise our contribution to the local Oxfordshire community. We continue to work with a range of partners on how best this can be achieved.”
Kidlington Cricket Club, Gosford All Blacks RFC and Kidlington Youth FC all currently use Stratfield Brake, and United have committed to replacing facilities with those of at least a comparable standard should they relocate.
In March, the county council’s cabinet voted to let officers pursue detailed discussions over United’s proposal for Stratfield Brake.
The club’s license agreement at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026, after which they will be homeless.
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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi
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