Decision details

To report back on the public engagement exercise and make a recommendation on whether to commence formal negotiations for the lease of Council owned land.

The recommendations were agreed with amendments to 2 a) I. and 2 a) II. to read as follows:

1.            RESOLVED to

(a)          Authorise Officers to enter into detailed discussions as requested by Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) on the use of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) owned land for the development of a new football stadium, subject to approval of detailed plans and undertakings and to planning permission.

(b)          Instruct Officers to ensure that any In Principle Agreement resulting from discussions with OUFC satisfies the objectives set out in (2a) below.

(c)          Authorise Officers to explore lease surrender discussions with OCC’s current tenants, and where appropriate with sub-tenants, subject to planning permission.

(d)          Instruct Officers to maintain open dialogue with stakeholders with interests in the project, in particular Cherwell District Council (CDC), the relevant Parish Councils, the community sports clubs who make use of Stratfield Brake, the Woodland Trust and neighbouring landowners.

(e)          Instruct officers to provide regular updates on progress to the Cabinet Member for Property and, as appropriate, Cabinet as a whole.

(f)           Require Officers to bring back to Cabinet for further discussion any detailed proposals that are made, and to bring to Cabinet for decision any In Principle Agreement that may be reached in due course.

2.            RESOLVED that:

a)    Officers ensure that any proposal by OUFC is consistent with the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance’s priorities, by achieving the following objectives for the use of the OCC’s land:

                             I.        maintain a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington and protecting and enhancing the surrounding environment including biodiversity, connecting habitats and supporting nature recovery

                            II.        improve public access to high-quality nature and green spaces

                          III.        enhance facilities for local sports groups and on-going financial support

                          IV.        significantly improve the infrastructure connectivity in this location, improving public transport to reduce the need for car travel in so far as possible, and to improve sustainable transport through increased walking, cycling and rail use

                           V.        develop local employment opportunities in Oxfordshire

                          VI.        increase education and innovation through the provision of a sports centre of excellence and facilities linked to elite sport, community sport, health and wellbeing

                        VII.        support the County Council’s net zero carbon emissions pledge through highly sustainable development

b)    Officers pursue detailed discussions with a view to agreeing terms that achieve community benefit, meet OCC’s aspirations, retain OCC’s reasonable long-term control over the size and scale of OUFC’s proposed scheme, and comply with S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (and any other applicable legal requirements).

c)    Officers continue to explore any opportunities with neighbouring landowners that might enhance the delivery of a community sports hub at Stratfield Brake in line with OUFC’s commitment to replace and enhance the existing sports facilities and to develop sustainable operation models with the community clubs to protect their long-term future, prior to the commencement of any new stadium related development.

d)    Officers to return to Cabinet if further detailed proposals are made by OUFC and, in due course, if an In Principle Agreement with OUFC is reached, so that financial and lease terms can be discussed at a Special Cabinet Meeting.