Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam has moved a step closer to opening part of a planned leisure complex by the end of the year.

Oxford City Council's executive board yesterday agreed to revise a legal agreement so that the first phase of the £22m Ozone Leisure Park, next to United's Minchery Farm stadium, can open.

It will include a multiplex cinema, 10-pin bowling alley, children's entertainment centre and bingo club.

The council has agreed to sell the site to Mr Kassam's company, Firoka Leisure, once the facilities have been built.

But a legal agreement stated that the complex could not be opened until 15 days after the completion of the development.

Firoka said it would be possible to open the first phase while building work continued on phase two, which is due to be completed at the end of February next year.

The council and Firoka will now have to pay an undisclosed sum to Thames Water to lift restrictive covenants to allow the first phase to be used once it is ready. Council leader Alex Hollingsworth said he was pleased the complex's main building was in place and the project was progressing.

He said: "This is part of the council's aim to work with others and it's good to hear Oxford will have these extra facilities sooner than expected."

Val Smith said a footpath to the complex had been built, but she was concerned about a lack of lighting. She said: "I would imagine this is going to be well used once the site opens and it's very long and very dark. We need to ensure that lighting is installed."

Councillors agreed to refer the matter to the county council, which is responsible for maintaining footpaths.