Oxford United hope to submit plans for stadium by Christmas

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet voted to lease ‘The Triangle’, east of Frieze Way and south of Kidlington Roundabout, to United at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, September 19).

Planning approval is still required to build a new stadium but United's chief strategy officer Niall McWilliams revealed the club are looking to submit an application in the autumn months.

READ MORE: 'It’s a very big step': Reaction as Oxford United leased land in major decision

Speaking to BBC Oxford, he said: “As a club, we are delighted, relieved and absolutely humbled by the support.

“The approval is going to be on a leasehold which is obviously still a major step forward for the club.

“I think what we have got to do, is we have always got to put things into perspective.

"Although this is a big step, it is still a long process and we have got a long way to go."

Mr McWilliams added that a leasehold over a sale does not concern the club which is set to release more information on October 9.

On concerns raised at the meeting, he said: “We respect everyone’s opinion and people’s view and certainly there are legitimate concerns.

“The county council has asked us to produce more detail in relation to that. We have also got to bear in mind. 

"We are governed by those seven tests so we have got to provide more detail in relation to that, and that was always the plan.

“Publicly it was said there will be more information coming out on October 9 and it certainly stands by our point of view we in to submit a planning application at some stage in the autumn, so we are still moving very quickly on it but we will continue to engage and to listen.”

The decision to lease the land to United was also welcomed by chief executive Tim Williams.

He told the Oxford United website: “I’m delighted that we have been able to agree the land deal”

“This has been an extremely detailed process involving numerous stakeholders.

“We have rightly had to demonstrate that this project will deliver value not just to the club but to the entire community as well.

“We need to be very clear though - it is great to be where we are, but there is a long way to go as we now move to the planning application phase.

“The vision for our stadium is for it to be a landmark building and popular community asset for year-round use.

"The club look forward to working with the people of Kidlington and wider Oxfordshire community to continue to shape the project during the formal planning application phase.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks to the council’s members and officers for all their hard work in getting to this point.

"I’d also like to recognise our fans and everyone in the county who has supported the project in the consultation process and, last but not least, past and present members of the club staff and our consultants and advisers who have worked with skill and dedication to get to this point.”

The club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium runs out in 2026