Decision details

Final decision on whether Oxford United Football Club can acquire council-owned land at the Triangle to develop a new football stadium. Report on the feedback from the public engagement exercise undertaken in June and July 2023.

Recommendations amended and approved as follows:

(a)            Note the feedback from the stakeholder engagement exercise undertaken in April and May 2023 (set out in Annex 2) and the public engagement exercise undertaken between 9 June and 23 July 2023 (set out in Annex 3).

(b)            Accept the report from the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(c)            Agree to proceed with a leasehold disposal of the land located to the east of Frieze Way/south of Kidlington roundabout known as the Triangle, based on the heads of terms which are to be negotiated with Oxford United Football Club (OUFC).

The leasehold disposal would be subject to:

i.             The receipt of planning consent

ii.           The production by OUFC of a net zero carbon plan [fully costed with clear timescales and outcomes, from design, construction and full operation of the stadium]

iii.          A clear and detailed set of proposals that show how OUFC will meet the commitments made to date to meet the Council’s strategic priorities to the satisfaction of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property

iv.         Obtaining a best value assessment of the leasehold disposal in accordance with the requirements of s123 Local Government Act 1972

v.           Restrictive covenants to ensure that the land remains limited to use for stadium and sports purposes for the term of the lease

(d)            Delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, to negotiate and agree the final heads of terms

(e)            Delegate authority to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer, to conclude negotiations with the club and complete all necessary legal documentation for the leasehold disposal

(f)              Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to write to the club to outline requirements relating to the net zero carbon plan, a clear and detailed set of proposals and details of the restrictive covenants set out in (c) above.