OXFORD United’s managing director is ‘delighted’ the club will be allowed to proceed with talks about leasing land for a potential new stadium.

This afternoon, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet voted to let officers pursue detailed discussions over the U’s proposal for Stratfield Brake, south of Kidlington.

FULL STORY: Oxford United allowed to continue talks over potential stadium site

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

The club’s license agreement at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026, after which they will be homeless.

Cabinet members were recommended to allow United to enter discussions after previously deferring the proposal to allow a four-week public consultation to take place.

Although 80 per cent of respondents were in favour of formal negotiations beginning, there were questions around issues such as traffic, parking and the potential loss of green belt land.

United MD Niall McWilliams was thrilled with the decision and looked forward to answering those concerns.

He said: “From a personal perspective I’m delighted, relieved and tired.

“I’m very grateful for the county for listening to us and that they’ve allowed us to proceed to the next stage. I totally understand the provisos that they put in place.

"We're also thankful to Kidlington and Gosford and Water Eaton parish councils and look forward to working with them."

He added: “I think people deserve to have that detail and it’s within our power to do so.

“I know in the words of some people it’s cautious support, but in reality I read it differently. I think it was overwhelming support from the people of Oxfordshire.

“People have obviously got concerns and we respect and understand those.

“It’s not a situation we want to find ourselves in, but we’re fighting for the future of the football club and fighting to give Oxfordshire international-class facilities.

“We're also determined to give Kidlington and the Oxfordshire community facilities we’re all proud of.”

AS IT HAPPENED: What was said at the council meeting

Of the 818 local residents who responded to the consultation, 38 per cent were in favour of United entering negotiations and 58 per cent against.

McWilliams added: “We’ve always got to be guided by stakeholders and see what they want.

“It’s clear we have to look at traffic issues, green belt issues and community use.

“That’s the clear message coming back from stakeholders and we just need to unpick the detail.”

United will continue discussions with the council, its tenants and sub-tenants at Stratfield Brake, with the outcome brought back to cabinet in due course.

A club statement added: "We wholeheartedly welcome their decision and thank them for their considered approach in assessing our proposal and understanding the vital need to safeguard our club’s future within Oxfordshire.

"As demonstrated in the recent consultation, there is wide-spread and significant support for our new stadium project, from local residents, fans and stakeholders throughout the Oxfordshire community.

"Whilst the decision today remains the first stage of the process, it is a historic one, an important step forward to enable us to progress to the pre-planning stage.

"We look forward to negotiating with officers to agree the finalised terms of the deal and as part of the pre-planning process, working with the local community to answer many of the valid issues that were raised as part of the consultation.

"We will provide a further update on our intended approach forward in due course."