Club writes open letter addressing stadium concerns

A decision on Oxford United's proposal is expected by the end of July

Oxford United has written to locals in an attempt to outline the potential community benefits of its new stadium proposal.

The club wants to build a 16,000-capacity venue on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, but has faced some opposition from the community.

In an open letter addressing those concerns, the club said it had "listened, adapted, and are committed to delivering something that can be genuinely valued locally".

It added that stakeholders, including police and council highways officers, had accepted the club's transport strategy - subject to conditions.

The strategy aims for 90% of travel to the stadium to take place via sustainable means.

Jonathon Clarke, development director at Oxford United, said the club understood there were "existing challenges in the community" and had created a plan to "help alleviate them".

"The stadium is about more than football and will deliver huge value to our local communities and beyond," he said.

Among the updated proposals included in the letter are plans for a new health and wellbeing centre and additional local benefits - including free venue access for local schools, charities and community groups.

The club also reaffirmed its plans to invest in the nearby Stratfield Brake's sports pitches - home to teams including Kidlington Youth FC and Gosford All Blacks rugby club.

It also detailed its plans to make the proposed new ground the UK's first all-electric stadium - powered by on-site renewables and 100% clean energy.

"We appreciate there are questions about the new stadium and the open aims to address them," Mr Clarke said.

He added: "Without the stadium the club and its charity cannot survive."

"The stadium will safeguard both and create a hub that serves the community and helps address local needs."

The club's current home, the Kassam Stadium, is known for its lack of a fourth stand

Last month, the U's reached an agreement with the stadium's owner, Fikora Group, to stay at its current home, the Kassam Stadium, for a maximum of two further years.

Both parties said no further extensions or new lease agreements would be possible following the agreement.

Under its plans for the new stadium, the club predicts 1,000 new jobs will be created and £32m a year added to the local economy.

The open letter confirmed that a fifth of the jobs created would be ring-fenced for those living locally, to "help address the county's youth employment and hospitality labour shortages".

A decision on the proposal is expected to be made by Cherwell District Council by the end of July.