THE chair of Oxford United's fans' trust is delighted with the 'overwhelming' support for the club's proposed move to Stratfield Brake.

Figures released yesterday showed 80 per cent of the 3,740 responses to a recent public consultation supported the club entering into discussions with Oxfordshire County Council over the site, near Kidlington.

The council's cabinet is recommended to approve this at its next meeting a week today.

Read also: Oxford United's stadium proposal gets major backing ahead of key meeting

In total, 2,910 people who responded to the consultation said they were United fans, with 93 per cent in favour of the proposal and six per cent against.

Independent supporters' trust OxVox urged fans to make their voice heard throughout the consultation and chair Paul Peros was encouraged by the turnout.

He said: “I was pretty confident this would get a lot of support, but 80 per cent is overwhelming.

“The number of responses was very large, so they’re both very strong figures.

“There were some quite emotive things being said (about the site), like seven-storey buildings and day-long traffic queues.

“I was really impressed with the manner of the responses from Oxford fans.

“It has been really calm and reasoned debate in the face of overblown reports of what this could be.

“It’s a small step but a vital one, and to recommend it again shows the care with which the club have gone about preparing this.

“The people of Oxford have voted overwhelmingly that they want this to go ahead."

United want to lease the land for 250 years, with a view to building an 18,000-capacity stadium, community and sports grounds and hotel, retail and conference facilities.

They would still need to seek planning permission from Cherwell District Council after concluding negotiations over the site.

In total, 783 respondents to the consultation said they were not U's supporters, with 63 per cent of those against the proposal and 33 per cent in favour.

Meanwhile, 818 ‘local residents’ shared their views and 58 per cent thought the council should not enter into discussions, with 38 per cent supporting the move.

Peros felt this was expected, adding: “There was always going to be an initial reaction before people saw the facts.

“If people have worries, this is our chance to show people can have a stadium and infrastructure they can be proud of."