OXFORD United’s search for a new stadium is set to take a step forward as a council cabinet is recommended to allow officers to begin talks on ‘outline legal and commercial terms’.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet will make a decision relating to ‘The Triangle’, a piece of land south of Kidlington Roundabout, at a meeting next Tuesday.

Any final decision regarding the leasing of the council-owned land would be taken at a future cabinet meeting.

United’s hunt for a new home is taking on more significance as the licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium is set to run out in 2026, after which point the club could find itself homeless.

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Calum Miller, the county council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “Officers have made their recommendations and it is now for us as cabinet members to decide whether or not we accept them. 

“As the county’s only professional football club, we know that Oxford United is close to the hearts of thousands of people across this county.

“We also recognise the opinions and needs of local people who would be affected by the building of a new stadium.”

Any legal agreement between the U’s and the council must meet a series of objectives, officers have recommended to cabinet.

These objectives include maintaining a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington, enhancing facilities for local sports groups, and improving public transport in the area.

Miller added: “We have an important decision to make on January 24 and even if we decide to authorise the start of negotiations with the football club, there are still critical pieces of information that we would require from the club before any agreement could proceed.

“Officers have already taken the results of the engagement exercise conducted in early 2022 into account.

“These highlighted concerns and challenges associated with the Stratfield Brake site and the scale of Oxford United’s proposals to lease 18 hectares of land for the development of a football stadium alongside hotel, retail and conference facilities, and training/community grounds. 

“As a result, officers have now recommended – for the provision of a stadium only – a smaller site of 4.9 hectares that is separated from Kidlington and Gosford by two major roads. 

“Use of this site would not impact community sports facilities or access to Stratfield Brake and the land owned by the Woodland Trust as a community amenity. We are however very mindful that this site is also in the green belt.

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“As the club’s proposals become clearer, we would expect there to be regular opportunities for the club to engage with the public about their plans, which the county council would take into consideration.

“If the negotiations led to a satisfactory conclusion there would then be a full and transparent planning process led by Cherwell District Council.

“This is not therefore a case of the county council giving the club a green light. Officers are proposing to start detailed negotiations on the terms on which Oxfordshire County Council land could be offered for the purposes of a new home stadium for Oxford United.

“These terms would be subject to clearly set out criteria. This is not a final proposal for consideration but is a recommendation to intensify discussions with the club to get to the point where a firm proposal can be considered.”

Planning permission for a new stadium would be required from Cherwell District Council, as the local planning authority.