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 U’s face Charlton Athletic on Saturday after winning their last three matches, most recently seeing off relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Wednesday evening.
Their impressive run of form has seen United reignite their hopes of remaining in the second tier, now only in the relegation zone on goal difference after drawing level on points with Leicester City in 21st.
With a quick turnaround from their midweek triumph, Oxford are looking to keep up their consistency at home to the Addicks.
“We can all see the prize that we’re working towards,” Bloomfield declared.
“We can all see the points that that grit and determination and performance level, we can see the outcomes that it has given us.
“That should be enough motivation in itself for us to go again tomorrow.”
Oxford have fielded the same starting 11 for those three victories, with individuals upping their game and goals being found from different players on the pitch.
Top goal scorer Will Lankshear has chipped in with two goals over the last three games, whilst both centre backs have bagged and midfielder Jamie Donley has scored his first for the club on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
“You need individual performances to be of a high level for the team to be cohesive and to play in the manner that you want it to,” the Yellows boss continued.
“I feel like there have been some big individual performances in the last three games and as a unit they’ve knitted together nicely and we’re going to need plenty more of those in the last nine games.
“A team that wants to win games needs to find goals all over the pitch.
“We want to be a threat both from open play and set pieces.
READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run
“It was a nice move that created the goal on Wednesday evening and, to be honest, we could’ve had a couple more.
“We need to make sure we have goal threats all over the pitch and it’s been pleasing recently and we have to keep that going.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
“We’ve seen a consistency to what we’ve done.
“We’re carrying a couple of knocks from Wednesday evening so we need to give them as long as we can with the quick turnaround. We need to see who’s going to be fit and who isn’t.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
“We’ll try and keep as much continuity as we possibly can.
“Nathan Jones has done a fantastic job [at Charlton] over the last two years. They’re a really strong squad, they all know their jobs, really well organised.
“They’re in a fantastic position to secure their safety.”
The U’s centre back has been key in a side that has won its last three games, with Brown getting on the scoresheet in their 3-1 win away at Preston North End last week.
Their most recent victory saw them beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in an impressive home display.
“I think maybe the penny has dropped and some things are starting to click and got the ideas across that we need to do better performance-wise but also need to do better results-wise,” Brown said ahead of United’s next game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
“I think a lot of the season, we’ve probably been a bit too inconsistent where we haven’t put runs together, haven’t put back-to-back wins together which has ultimately put us in this position.
“Over the last month or few weeks, before we put this string of wins together, it did feel sometimes a bit unfortunate. It felt like we were just on that line of putting wins together.
“I think we’ve all come together and…it’s clicked.
“A big part of last season was the defenders chipping in with goals and maybe we haven’t done that as much this year as we would’ve liked.
“But to get clean sheets and chip in with a few goals is always nice.”
Oxford are fighting for survival in their second season in the Championship after avoiding relegation in the previous campaign.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
A lot has changed since then, with Matt Bloomfield now in charge and plenty of new players arriving in OX4, eight in the January transfer window alone.
“I think a lot of people are going back to last year, but I do think our squad is massively different” admitted the 28-year-old.
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“Whether that’s some of the boys from previous years stepping up and helping [the new players] through that process.
“It’s a totally different season and there are different obstacles thrown at you, but I think maybe the experience of last year can hopefully play a part this year and have the same outcome.”
The Yellows face a Charlton side this weekend who have won two in a row, with a shock 1-0 win away at second-placed Middlesbrough last time out.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
The Addicks looked as if they would be involved the relegation scrap but have now pulled away from the pack and look likely to survive.
“I think they’ve done really well this season, especially getting promoted last season and then first season in the Championship this year; I think they’ve done unbelievably.
“Whether they’re out of it or in it, who knows? But I think they’ve put themselves in a great place to stay up.”
Oxford United host Charlton Athletic as they look to win their fourth Championship game in a row.
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