Oxford United land contracts for new stadium now signed

The U’s have announced that a legally binding lease option with Oxfordshire County Council, for land at The Triangle, south of Kidlington Roundabout, has been signed, in addition to a community collaboration agreement.

United are looking to build a new home at The Triangle, with the club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium running out in 2026.

The latest step follows the news last month that heads of terms had been agreed following months of negotiations between the club and the council.

READ ALSO: The main talking points as Oxford United book trip to Wembley

The lease option agreement includes provisions to ensure the club’s right to play at the proposed stadium is secured, along with safeguards on rent and use of facilities, while the community collaboration agreement formalises United’s commitment to a series of benefits, as outlined in the seven strategic priorities set out by the council.

Those included improving public transport and supporting the council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through a ‘highly sustainable development’.

In February, it was announced that the U’s had committed to halving their carbon emissions within six years after signing the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework.

As well as halving carbon emissions by 2030, United are also aiming to be net zero by 2040.

The signing of all the contracts relating to the land has been described by the U’s as a ‘significant step forward in securing a long-term home in the county and the future of the 131-year-old football club’.

United chairman Grant Ferguson told the club website: “This is a major step forward in our exciting stadium development plans and for the long-term sustainability of the club.

“On behalf of the club, I’d like to extend a thank you to our stadium project team, to all our supporters and to Oxfordshire County Council.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with key stakeholders to bring our vision to reality.” 

U’s development director Jon Clarke added: “From the outset, the club has sought to create a stadium and venue that protects the long-term future of Oxford United and delivers significant benefits to the wider community.

“The signing of this lease option is a major milestone and allows us to fully focus on obtaining planning.

“The project team has worked tirelessly for over three years to get us to this point. We can now move forward with certainty and confidence knowing we have secured the land deal.”

At the end of February, a full planning application was submitted to Cherwell District Council, for the construction of a 16,000-capacity ground at The Triangle.

United will be able to fully exercise the 250-year lease once planning permission has been obtained from the district council.

A target decision date for the application has been set at June 21, with Cherwell’s next planning committee meeting set for June 6.