Oxford United detail reasons for stadium challenge refusal

Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB), a community group based near Kidlington, is seeking to block the club’s proposed 16,000-seat ground on green belt land at the Triangle site next to Oxford Parkway.

The development – which would include a hotel, restaurant, gym and other facilities alongside the main stand – has been billed by the club as a “once-in-a-generation” project that would reshape its home in Oxfordshire.

The U’s had signed the Section 106 Planning Agreement with Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council for their new stadium in February.

FoSB, represented by law firm Leigh Day, launched judicial review proceedings in the High Court, claiming the council’s decision was unlawful and raising concerns about the impact on nearby woodland, wildlife and local roads.

A High Court judge has now refused the group’s initial application for permission to bring a full judicial review, turning down the challenge on the papers, but the campaigner have declared they will ‘fight on’.

Oxford United fans watch their side against Arsenal in the FA Cup (Image: David Fleming)

However, the campaigners say such refusals are common at this early stage and insist the setback does not change their determination to continue the fight.

In a statement responding to the refusal, United detailed the reasons given: “Having reviewed the papers submitted, the Judge’s Order concluded that the claimant’s grounds of challenge were “not reasonably arguable.”

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“Specifically, the arguments relating to the woodland adjacent to the proposed site were deemed “unsustainable”, whilst the ground concerning matchday traffic measurement measures provided no valid basis for judicial review.

“The Claimant, Friends of Stratfield Brake, has now served a renewal notice, asking the Court to reconsider its refusal and to list the case at an oral renewal hearing. A date for this has not yet been scheduled, although the Court’s target is for oral renewal hearings to be heard within one month from the receipt of a renewal notice. 

Oxford United fans cheer on their team playing against Stevenage, 2006 (Image: John Thorn / Pinnacle)

“Oxford United continues to work closely with Cherwell District Council to ensure the Court fully understands the strength of the planning decision and why a substantive judicial review hearing is unnecessary. The club remains confident that the claim will ultimately be dismissed.”

Oxford United argues the new stadium is essential to securing its long-term future once its lease at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2028, warning that the club’s position could be at risk if the Triangle plan does not go ahead.

In a legal update, FoSB said it would press ahead with the next step by seeking an oral permission hearing, where a barrister will argue in person why the case should be allowed to go forward.