Oxford United have taken a decisive step toward securing their long-term future after Cherwell District Council formally approved the club’s planning application for a new 16,000-seat stadium on land north of Oxford.
The decision, made at a council planning committee meeting earlier today on 14 August 2025, follows years of preparation and debate over the future home of the club, whose tenancy at the Kassam Stadium is set to expire in 2028.
Fans of the Yellows are delighted the team will have a new home, and the news will buoy United in this seasons Championship campaign.
A Permanent Home in Sight
The approved plans detail a purpose-built, all-seater stadium on the Triangle site near Kidlington, designed not only to host football but to serve as a multi-use community hub.
The project will include:
- A 180-bedroom hotel
- A restaurant and conference centre
- Health and well-being facilities
- A gym and community plaza
- Enhanced green space and improved transport links
The development is expected to create new jobs, support local charities and sports clubs, and generate significant economic activity for Oxfordshire.
Voices from the Club
Jonathon Clarke, Oxford United’s Development Director, welcomed the result:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have secured planning approval. We’re now one step closer to delivering on our goal of creating a once-in-a-generation venue for supporters and the wider community.
Getting to this point wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible stadium project team. I’d also like to place on record my thanks to the Cherwell District Council planning officers for their constructive engagement throughout this process.”
Grant Ferguson, Chairman of Oxford United, added:
“This is a crucial step forward in the long process towards safeguarding the future of this great Club. With approval secured, our focus can now move to the next phase of the project plan.
Thank you to all stakeholders, consultees and everyone else who has supported our vision.”
Council Reaction
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, expressed her relief:
“I welcome with huge relief Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee approval for the new stadium application.
Oxford United’s tenure at the Kassam Stadium is running out. It’s urgent that the plans now move forward. This decision provides a clear pathway to the construction of a modern facility that Oxford United and its fans deserve. It secures the future of the club and will offer a host of economic and social benefits for the area.”
Next Steps: Secretary of State Review
Because of the stadium’s location on green belt land, the approved application will now be referred to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for final consideration. Only once national approval is granted can detailed planning and construction begin.
What This Means for Oxfordshire
The stadium project is being billed as a “once-in-a-generation” development, promising to:
- Anchor Oxford United in the county for decades to come
- Provide modern, sustainable sporting infrastructure
- Deliver wide-ranging community benefits, from jobs to health and leisure facilities
For now, United will continue to play at the Kassam Stadium under their extended lease until 2028, giving the club time to oversee the build and prepare for the move.
