CHAMPIONSHIP club Oxford United have received a huge boost in their plans to build a new stadium.
The U’s, who were promoted to England’s second tier following promotion from League One last season, drew up plans for a £130million project allowing them to build a new home.
Oxford United currently play at the 12,500-capacity Kassam Stadium, which was built in 1997 and opened in 2001.
However, the lease on their current home – owned by Firoka who are operated by the club’s former owner Firoz Kassam – runs out in 2026.
And Oxford chiefs have wasted no time in trying to secure the team’s long-term foundations.
In October 2023 the club released details for plans to relocate to a new home at the Triangle near Kidlington, and move into the Cherwell district.
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The 16,000-seater stadium would see the club sign a staggering 250-year deal, according to BBC Oxford Sport.
The club had been granted permission for the stunning build back in May after signing a provisional legally binding agreement with Oxfordshire County Council.
However, the deal hinged on them gaining permission from Cherwell District Council.
In great news for the project, on Monday Oxford councillors voted in favour of the motion tabled by Labour member Mary Clarkson to “support” their plan.
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She said the body wants the club to be “secure in a new stadium which offers a lot of improvements”.
And it now means a planning permission application could be submitted to Cherwell District Council early next year.
On the move, chairman of the OxVox independent supporters’ trust, Paul Peros, said it would improve infrastructure and bring “vitality to the area”.
He added the club and councils “can’t let the vocal minority rob us of that chance”.
However, opponents to the move have highlighted the loss of green belt land along with traffic and pollution issues.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
