Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB) has launched the legal challenge arguing that Cherwell District Council acted “unlawfully” in approving the development on green belt land.

Permission for the 16,000-seat stadium at the Kidlington Triangle was granted planning permission in August pending several agreements that were finalised in February.

FoSB has consistently raised concerns around the impact on wildlife and aspects of the planned road closures.

Stratfield Brake (Image: Submit)

Lawyers at Leigh Day, acting for the group, sent a formal pre-action protocol letter setting out its legal objections to the decision.

But Leigh Day said the council “refused” to acknowledge such concerns and now FoSB has now officially filed proceedings seeking permission to apply for a judicial review.

A key issue concerns the council’s alleged treatment of advice from Natural England on the ecological status of woodland at Stratfield Brake.

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Leigh Day said Natural England advised that the evidence as to whether the woodland is ancient was inconclusive and recommended a precautionary approach.

FoSB claims that the council accepted an assumption that extensive traffic management measures could be set up and removed within a very short period of time, despite there being no realistic evidential basis for that conclusion.

FoSB contends that these alleged errors were material to the decision to grant planning permission. The group is seeking to quash the permission.

The case will now proceed to the permission stage, where a judge will decide whether the judicial review should go forward to a full hearing.

Oxford United stadium plans (Image: Fortitude Communications)

FoSB is represented by Ricardo Gama, human rights partner at law firm Leigh Day.

An FoSB representative said: “We have engaged with the council throughout this process and made our concerns clear at every stage, including through formal legal correspondence.

“Unfortunately, those concerns have not been addressed, leaving us with no option but to bring this judicial review.

“We believe the decision is flawed and that the impacts of this development on the adjacent woodland and transport have not been properly considered.”

Mr Gama added: “Our clients felt they had no choice but to file court proceedings because the council has failed to address their concerns over the impact which the stadium development would have on an ecologically important woodland and on local traffic.

“They look forward to putting their arguments to a judge.”

FoSB added it is “extremely grateful to the many people who have supported us” over the past four years which includes £50,000 raised.

“We believe that the local community shares our deep concerns about this project, especially the impact on biodiversity and the lack of any meaningful community benefits,” it said in a statement.

“The section 106 agreement funds seem to be allocated largely to travel infrastructure works which wouldn’t be needed if this project wasn’t being forced upon us.

“We are mindful that judicial review is an uphill battle but feel that this proposal is so egregious we should do everything in our power to try to stop it.”

Oxford United and Cherwell District Council have been approached for further comment.

More follows.

An application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, to change the use of a three-bedroom detached dwelling in Kingsclere Road to an eight-bed with ensuite HMO.

The current home, which is thought to have been constructed in around the 1960s as a private house, currently has two off street parking spaces, two reception rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

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To accommodate the increase of bedrooms, an existing single storey flat roofed garage to the side of the property is planned to be demolished.

In its place will be a new part single storey and part two storey extension to the side and rear of the property.

Ground floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Architects)

This will partly house the new rooms, which all measure more than 14m square excluding the ensuite, and an open plan communal kitchen, dining and living room, measuring around 28m square.

There is also provision for 10 covered Sheffield type bicycle stands to the rear of the property.

First floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Arcjotects)

In the design and access statement, submitted by JMD Architects on behalf of the applicant, it said there is a “real need for quality rooms with ensuites in shared houses for younger single professionals who are working in the own and beyond and are unable to afford the rent for larger flats and houses.”

The planning authority has until May 26 to make a decision.

Cartesien, owned by Geri Horner and her husband, former racing driver Christian Horner, will compete in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt Point-to-Point on April 12.

The race takes place at Edgcote Racecourse, near Banbury.

Maxine Filby, who trains Cartesien from the Horners’ stables at Marston St Lawrence, said: “We decided to run him at Edgcote as it is so local. They did a really good job with the ground last year.

“We still don’t know what we have got. He could have been flattered at Guilsborough.

“I would be thrilled if he runs a good race and comes back in one piece.”

The six-year-old gelding made a winning start in the UK last month at Guilsborough, ridden by Gina Andrews.

He will line up in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open, sponsored by Spratt Endicott.

Sixty-two entries have been received for the six-race card, with Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell confirming that watering will be undertaken as needed to ensure good ground.

Other races of interest include the Tattersalls Cheltenham, GB Pointing Bonus, Young Horse Maiden Series Four & Five Year Old Race over 2m 5f, which features a promising line-up of young horses.

Francesca Poste is set to debut Rum N Reggae, with husband Charlie Poste optimistic about the horse’s chances.

Mr Poste said: “His schooling and work has been good.

“He is by an exciting young sire in Crystal Ocean, so it’s fingers crossed.”

Last year’s meeting saw emotional scenes after Glancing Hill’s maiden win, just days after the passing of owner Bridget Gatehouse.

Charlie Poste said: “We lost Bridget, the vet who owned him, a year ago today (Tuesday).

“She hunted him all year with the Bicester, so it would be quite poignant if he runs there and wins that race.”

The event offers a full day of family entertainment, including a hound parade, dog show, falconry, children’s activities, a bouncy castle, and live music after racing from country singer Paul Adams.

Gates open at 11am. Admission is £15 per person in advance via the Edgcote Races website or £20 on the gate, which includes a racecard. Under-15s go free.

Premium parking in the front two rows is available for £50.

Edgcote Racecourse is located approximately six miles northeast of Banbury, near the A361.

Visitors are advised to exit the M40 at junction 11 and follow the A361 to Wardington before turning right at the Hare & Hounds pub for the most direct route.