A parish council believes that the Oxford United stadium discussion has 'eclipsed' housing development that is earmarked around the city’s edge.

United are looking to build a new ground at ‘The Triangle’, south of Kidlington Roundabout, with the club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium set to run out in 2026.

In September, Oxfordshire County Council will make a decision on whether to lease land at The Triangle to the U’s, for the purpose of building a stadium. 

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Nearby to the stadium, developers are finalising their application to build 800 homes to the north of the city at Cutteslowe.

Construction company Bellway expects to submit its outline planning application for the proposed development of its Water Eaton site, formerly known as PR6a, next month after acquiring the land from Christ Church last September.

Gosford and Water Eaton parish council are set to submit feedback once the plans have been proposed.

The council are concerned about the height of the proposed development, the traffic strain on the Oxford Road and the location of the primary school.

Vice-chairman of Gosford and Water Eaton parish council, Cllr Suzanne Wilson-Higgins said: “The Stadium discussions seem to have eclipsed the PR6a development.

“Our council will be submitting further feedback on the Cherwell District Council website regarding PR6a once the final submitted plans by Bellway Homes (planning request submitted by Savill's) Oxford office) are made public.

“We submitted input throughout the earlier stages of the planning process.

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“We remain concerned about the height of the proposed development, the stress of additional traffic on the Oxford Road, the location of the primary school, the lack of clarity concerning many details regarding the cycle paths, the recreation grounds and the provision of a community centre. 

“With under 700 homes currently in the parish and the proposed number of new homes increasing from 600 to 800 we remain concerned about over development in the Parish especially when you add in PR6b and PR7a both inside the parish plus the new stadium adjacent to the parish.

“The entire area will not be recognisable and there will in effect be no greenbelt left between Kidlington and Oxford.”

The site, which is south of Oxford Parkway station and Park and Ride, adjacent to the northern edge of Oxford at Cutteslowe and east of Oxford Road, is allocated for the development of new homes in the Cherwell Local Plan partial review.

The new Water Eaton plans also include a centre with retail space, a café or restaurant, community building and facilities, an open space, play areas and allotments as well as travel infrastructure and green spaces for exercise and relaxation.

This is one of many proposals on the outskirts of the city including plans to build 1,200 homes over North Oxford Golf Club alongside the Oxford United stadium plans.

A Bellway statement said: “We presented our updated proposals, influenced by the feedback we received during the initial consultation and the design development consultation.

“It was also a chance for the Bellway team to meet stakeholders and residents, after acquiring the Water Eaton site from Christ Church in September 2022.

“Now the consultation has closed, we will undertake a full review of feedback received, which will be considered alongside feedback from previous consultations as we finalise our outline planning application to be submitted to Cherwell District Council.”