Decision on Oxford United stadium delayed until 2025

A decision on the planning application for Oxford United's proposed new stadium has been delayed until early next year.

Proposals were submitted to Cherwell District Council in February and a target decision date was set for Friday.

The club, which won the League One play-off final at Wembley last month, now say that decision will not be made until early 2025.

Due to the delay, the club has warned it may need to find a temporary home during a gap between their lease at the Kassam expiring and the new stadium being completed.

The Championship club wants to build a 16,000-capacity venue on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington.

In a statement, the U's said the delay was due to additional work and modelling needing to be carried out to "provide further clarity" for the planning committee.

The club added it was "actively exploring alternative short-term provisions" for the period before the stadium could open.

Its current lease at the Kassam is due to expire in 2026.

Jonathan Clarke, Oxford United development director, said: “We’re fully committed to following the planning process, supporting the planning department in their review and delivering on our vision.

"We are now focused on obtaining the necessary planning permissions and preparing for the build."

Last month, the U's signed a legally-binding agreement with Oxfordshire County Council that would see the authority lease the land on the Triangle to the club for 250 years.

That deal would only come into action if the stadium application is approved by Cherwell District Council.

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