Oxford United have been instructed to halt construction at their proposed new stadium or risk facing legal measures, according to correspondence.
The club’s blueprint for a 16,000-capacity venue encompasses a 180-room hotel, dining facilities, meeting spaces, health and fitness amenities alongside a public square.
Just last month, the football club finalised a Section 106 deal with Cherwell District Council that would channel funding into community initiatives.
However, correspondence reviewed by this publication indicates that a council enforcement officer has asked those managing the development to stop any additional work.
The officer warned in an electronic message dated Thursday, March 19 that failure to comply could result in official enforcement proceedings.
The documents state that a portion of The Triangle in Kidlington earmarked for the stadium has been stripped of vegetation and had hardcore material laid down.
A previously issued decision notice directed Oxford United that no construction activity, including demolition, groundwork, or vegetation removal, may begin until a Construction Environmental Management Plan addressing biodiversity has been provided to and formally approved by the planning authority.
The Friends of Stratfield Brake collective maintains this document has not been submitted and consequently lacks council approval.
Cherwell District Council declined to provide any statement.
An Oxford United spokesperson described the report as inaccurate and refused further elaboration.
Friends of Stratfield Brake, which opposes the stadium scheme, reported being dismayed after receiving multiple accounts from local residents regarding alterations to the land.
A spokesperson for the organisation expressed that they are not surprised OUFC has commenced operations before appropriate ecological protections are established. The club has shown disregard for the site’s wildlife from the beginning. They have accumulated sufficient resources to pursue a judicial review of the planning decision. This encompasses environmental concerns regarding ancient woodland and protected species, and they maintain that all site activity must stop until this legal challenge concludes. The spokesperson added that OUFC’s recent reckless conduct reveals a failure to honour Cherwell District Council’s development requirements, which offers little reassurance for the surrounding community and natural environment should construction continue.
FoSB’s legal representative Ricky Gama, from the firm Leigh Day, has recently written to Oxford United seeking clarification on what additional work they plan to undertake before the judicial review concludes.
The organisation indicated it may apply for a court order to prevent further irreversible harm to the location if required.
The Section 106 arrangement finalised last month will direct over £5 million toward infrastructure and neighbourhood projects, alongside pledges made under a separate Community Collaboration Agreement.
With formal planning consent secured, the club can now advance to the subsequent project stage, which involves satisfying pre-commencement requirements and carrying out preparatory work ahead of full construction.