Oxford United’s attempt to secure a new stadium has encountered another legal obstacle as a conservation campaign collective prepares to escalate its opposition through the court system.
The High Court recently dismissed an application seeking a full judicial review of the planning consent granted for the proposed development at the Triangle site in Kidlington.
With the deadline for further action imminent, the Friends of Stratfield Brake announced plans to challenge the ruling, stating that legal counsel had identified potential grounds for an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The campaign collective issued a formal statement indicating that solicitors had determined sufficient justification existed to contest the September 24 judgment.
The group acknowledged that pursuing additional litigation would present significant difficulties but maintained that concerns regarding potential harm to the woodland area and broader community impact warranted continued resistance.
The judicial review request had previously been rejected twice.
Justice Mould declined to grant permission following a paper application on June 26, and Justice Johnson subsequently dismissed an oral renewal of the application on September 24.
In last week’s ruling, Justice Johnson concluded that the original decision to approve the development could not be characterised as fundamentally unreasonable or procedurally defective.
Representing the environmental campaigners, Ben Fullbrook submitted written arguments asserting that Cherwell District Council’s planning committee had fundamentally misinterpreted the ecological status of the site.
The submissions highlighted that the committee’s determination the area did not qualify as ancient woodland constituted a material error, particularly given guidance from Natural England regarding the need for precautionary assessment of such landscapes.
Mr Fullbrook further argued that the local authority’s evaluation of traffic management measures for match-day scenarios was flawed.
Douglas Edwards KC, acting for the council, contended in submissions that the suggestion planning members had misconstrued Natural England’s position was without merit.
He explained that Oxfordshire County Council intended to monitor and potentially revise road closure arrangements following the stadium’s opening, with any modifications addressable through existing procedures.
Charles Streeten, representing Oxfordshire County Council, submitted that the legal challenge rested on an incorrect factual basis and should be struck out.
Oxford United had previously expressed confidence in the thoroughness of Cherwell District Council’s consideration of the planning submission.
The club declined to provide comment regarding the announced appeal.