CONCERNS have been raised about fresh plans for a new site for Oxford United’s stadium, after pervious proposals for the club’s home at Stratfield Brake appear to have been scrapped.
Discussions have been taking place between Oxfordshire County Council and the club since late last year about leasing council-owned land for the development of an 18,000-capacity football stadium.
A site at Stratfield Brake, on the edge of Kidlington, had initially been proposed by the club, but the council said there were ‘considerable challenges’ to it.
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Officers are now proposing a location south of Kidlington roundabout, west of Banbury Road and east of Frieze Way, close to Oxford Parkway railway station.
But opponents said the new site presents similar challenges to the previously proposed development at Stratfield Brake.
David Robey, who chairs Kidlington Parish Council, said: “Our position regarding the site at Stratfield Brake is that we are going to keep an open mind until we see the proposal in full, which we still haven’t done, and we will consult our villagers before we make a decision.
“There is a number of disadvantages that apply equally to the new site – we believe the problems are very much the same, including traffic and noise.
“But the new site also has an iconic significance because it would be the last piece of Green Gap, between Oxford and Kidlington and people feel very attached to it, as it represents the identity of the village.
"The alternative site still represents a problem for us and it's not an instant solution."
A spokesperson for campaign group Friends of Stratfield Brake said: “We have been vocal in opposing Stratfield Brake as the site for a new stadium but are concerned that the new site, which is known locally as 'the triangle', is subject to many of the limitations that apply to Stratfield Brake.
“We are surprised at this news because the club has only recently submitted to the county council its detailed proposals for a new stadium and associated commercial development at Stratfield Brake.
"The club has taken over seven months to draw up these proposals and they have not been made public.
“The triangle, along with Stratfield Brake, is the last remaining Green Belt separating Kidlington from Oxford once the Kidlington Gap has been developed; indeed, the inspector who conducted the recent local plan inquiry emphasised that his recommendations were intended to provide lasting boundaries for the Green Belt.”
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Liz Leffman, the county council's leader, said: “We listened carefully to feedback from local residents and have taken account of the concerns they raised.
“The alternative site is separated from Kidlington and Gosford by two major roads, while the current leasing arrangement means its use would not impact community sports facilities or access to Stratfield Brake as a community amenity.
“The new site also has the advantage of being close to Oxford Parkway railway station and the Park and Ride, which would enable greater walking, cycling, bus and rail use among fans. We are, however, very mindful that – like Stratfield Brake − the site is in the green belt.
“If the cabinet decides to enter formal negotiations with OUFC, any final proposal by the club would then need to be put through the planning process at Cherwell District Council, which provides further opportunities for the public to provide their views before elected members take a decision.”
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: “Any proposal for a new football ground would need to be submitted to Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority and tested in the normal way through the planning system. To date no such application has been received.”
The decision about whether or not to enter into formal negotiations with OUFC about the lease of land will be taken in public at a cabinet meeting on 24 January.
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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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