Oxford united FC
Oxford United ‘told to stop new stadium work or face action’
The club’s plans for a 16,000-seat stadium include a 180-bedroom hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space and a gym as well as a community plaza.
It was only last month that Oxford United signed a Section 106 agreement with Cherwell District Council which would put money into the community funded by the football club.
Now, an email chain seen by this newspaper suggests a Cherwell District Council enforcement officer has requested to the development’s agents “that no further works continue”.
“Failure to comply may result in formal enforcement action,” the enforcement officer said in an email on Thursday, March 19.
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It’s claimed in the emails that an area of The Triangle designated for the stadium in Kidlington has been cleared of vegetation and hardcore surface has been installed.
A decision notice previously issued to Oxford United said: “No development shall commence (including demolition, ground works, vegetation clearance) unless and until a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP: Biodiversity) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.”
The Friends of Stratfield Brake group has claimed this has not been submitted and is therefore not agreed to by the council.
Cherwell District Council declined to comment.
A representative of Oxford United claimed the story is “untrue” and declined to comment.
Friends of Stratfield Brake, which opposes the stadium development, said it is “shocked” to receive several reports from residents about the changes to the site.
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The groups’ representative said: “Sadly we are unsurprised that OUFC has started works before the proper environmental safeguards are in place.
“The club’s attitude to biodiversity on the site has been dismissive from the outset.
“We have raised enough funds to enable us to seek a judicial review of the planning decision.
“This includes environmental issues relating to ancient woodland and protected species and we believe that all works on site must cease until this legal challenge is completed.
“OUFC’s recent irresponsible actions demonstrate a lack of respect for Cherwell District Council’s development conditions which does not bode well for the local community and environment if this development proceeds.”
FoSB’s solicitor Ricky Gama, of Leigh Day, has recently written to Oxford United to ask what further works it intends to carry out before the judicial review has concluded.
The group said it may consider seeking an injunction to “prevent further irreversible damage to the site if necessary”.
It is said that the Section 106 agreement last month will see more than £5 million invested into infrastructure and local projects, alongside other commitments made as part of a separate Community Collaboration Agreement.
With formal planning approval received, the club can now progress with the next phase of the project, which includes the discharge of pre-commencement conditions and enabling works ahead of construction.
The 35-year-old was appointed into his first head coach role in June, taking over at United from Matt Bloomfield after retiring from professional football in April.
Ramsey has enjoyed a successful start to his tenure in OX4 so far, securing four wins from four pre-season fixtures, including a 2-0 victory over Premier League side Ipswich Town.
The former Gunners midfielder has also had to manage the squad amidst a temporary transfer ban which sees Oxford unable to register any new player until they prove compliance with the EFL’s Squad Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations.
The ex-Wales international played under some world-renowned managers during his successful playing career in the likes of Wenger, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery and former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.
“Arsene was a huge part of the success that I had as a player,” the Yellows head coach detailed after the pre-season win over Ipswich.
“And obviously, I took so much from him as well, from the manager side of things.
“But I’ve been very lucky and blessed to have played for some really good managers over the years, which I’ve taken little bits from as well.
“So, yes, I wouldn’t just say it’s all him, but definitely he’s formed part of that.”
Similarly to Wenger, Ramsey possesses a calm demeanour on the touchline, more often than not on the edge of his technical area with the occasional instruction directed at a player or the team as a whole.
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He is visibly calm and contemplative, something which he himself acknowledges.
“I think that’s me as a player, though. I’ve always been quite calm and comfortable in situations. So for me, that’s the way that I am.
“And I want my players to feel that and to feel like they can go out there and express themselves.
“So, yes, when they play like that [against Ipswich], it does make it a lot easier for me on the side lines.
“I think we need to be confident in what we’re trying to do for us to be able to really showcase exactly what we can do.
“It’s that confidence which is important without stepping over the line, but we need to embrace that.”
The U’s begin their campaign this Saturday with a Carabao Cup clash with League One rivals Leyton Orient.
Ramsey will be hoping his side can take the confidence and impressive performances from pre-season into the competitive campaign.
League action begins a week later, with the Yellows hosting newly-promoted MK Dons at the Kassam on the opening day.
The U’s return to the third tier after a two-year stay in the Championship, suffering relegation last term with a 22nd-placed finish under Matt Bloomfield.
The club revealed their new home strip last month and have worn it twice during pre-season when they beat Crawley Town 3-1 and Ipswich Town 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford’s away kit was released with a video on social media titled ‘Performance Inspires’, the shirt being inspired by Oxford’s performing arts, with a ballet performance filmed at Oxford New Theatre.
The video is soundtracked by a reimagined take on Oxford band Foals’ song ‘What Went Down’.
The shirt is available to buy online and in-store.
The 32-year-old midfielder joined United in 2024 and played 88 games for the club, scoring two goals.
His last goal for the club came in the final home game of last season, a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
On 14 January 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 league draw away against Plymouth Argyle.
He will now join Tranmere who are in League Two.
The Wales international did not make any senior appearances for Tranmere in his first spell but has signed a two-year deal with the club.
The U’s are in the midst of a temporary transfer embargo and will not currently be able to replace the midfielder.
As well as his contributions on the pitch, Vaulks was also a pioneer in the Oxfordshire community, using his personal story to establish the award-winning Can We Talk? suicide prevention campaign.
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He introduced a suicide prevention check-in app for staff, delivered training to employees and supporters, and led workshops across the county, including at RAF Brize Norton.
He was nationally and internationally recognised for his campaigning, winning awards including the FIFPRO Player Voice and was recently named PFA Community Player of the Year.
Vaulks made seven appearances for Wales, his most recent coming in a 1-1 draw with Czechia in 2022.
Oxford United begin their League One campaign next week with a home clash against MK Dons after suffering relegation from the second tier last season.
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