The government has confirmed it will not call in Oxford United’s planning application for a new 16,000-seat stadium at The Triangle near Kidlington, effectively giving the project a green light to proceed by leaving the scheme to be finalised by Cherwell District Council.
In a letter to the club, officials said the earlier Article 31 Direction preventing a decision while ministers considered the plans has been withdrawn.
Cherwell’s planning committee resolved to approve the project on 14 August, subject to conditions, referral to the Secretary of State (because it’s a departure from the local plan and on Green Belt land) and completion of a Section 106 agreement for mitigation and infrastructure. With the national review now closed, the council can issue the decision notice once the S106 is signed.
Club chairman Grant Ferguson said the decision means United can “begin to deliver on its vision” for a new home north of the city. He thanked supporters and the project team for helping reach this stage.
Oxford City Council welcomed the move, calling it a “huge day for Oxford and Oxfordshire”. Council leader Cllr Susan Brown said the stadium “secures the club’s future” and brings wider economic and social benefits, urging rapid progress on delivery.
Local MPs also cheered the outcome. Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) and Sean Woodcock (Banbury) said they were “delighted” the Secretary of State chose not to call in the application and hoped the project can proceed “as speedily as possible”.
What’s in the plan
The scheme centres on a 16,000-capacity stadium at The Triangle, with supporting uses including a hotel, restaurant, conference/ community facilities and new public realm. Councillors cited the case made to justify Green Belt development when they backed the proposal in August.
What happens next
- Section 106 negotiations to be finalised; the council can then issue permission.
- Pre-commencement planning conditions and technical approvals to follow.
- The club says it will provide further updates on programme and phasing.
What the Article 31 withdrawal means
An Article 31 Direction temporarily halts a local authority from issuing a decision while ministers consider whether to “call in” a planning application. With the Direction lifted and no call-in, the decision remains local (in this case with Cherwell) subject to the S106.
At a glance
- Capacity: 16,000 seats
- Location: The Triangle, south of the Kidlington roundabout, near Oxford Parkway
- Status: Government will not call in; Article 31 Direction withdrawn; S106 to complete
- Local decision: Cherwell planning committee approved (14 Aug), subject to conditions/S106
Voices
- Grant Ferguson, Oxford United chairman: government decision “means the Club can now begin to deliver on its vision.”
- Cllr Susan Brown, Oxford City Council leader: “huge day for Oxford and Oxfordshire… new jobs, improved transport connections, and more support for grassroots sport.”
- MPs Anneliese Dodds & Sean Woodcock: “delighted… hope the stadium can now go ahead as speedily as possible.”
