Campaigners threaten district council with legal challenge over approval of plans for football stadium complex

Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB) take issue with the stadium’s proposed location in the city’s green belt, its impact on wildlife and aspects of the planned road closures.

Oxford United’s plans are for a 16,000 capacity stadium along with additional facilities including a hotel, restaurant and conference centre.   

The site of the development sits between Kidlington and Oxford in a space known as ‘the Triangle’, adjacent to part of the Stratfield Brake area of woodland. 

FoSB said the site, which is owned by Oxfordshire County Council, is in the Oxford green belt and is not allocated for development in Cherwell’s Local Plan.

It added that it is particularly concerned about the impact on the woodland which, according to detailed reports from its expert ecologist, is ancient woodland.   

The group also argues that the full impact on local traffic has not been properly considered, and raises concerns that the potential impact of an emergency evacuation has not been properly considered either. 

In August 2025 the council agreed to approve the planning application, subject to a section 106 agreement with developer Oxford United. 

In February 2026, this was agreed and planning permission was formally granted, a decision which FoSB is now challenging.  

Leigh Day partner Ricardo Gama, who represents FoSB, said: “Our clients are concerned that Cherwell District Council’s decision to greenlight a new stadium for Oxford United does not give due consideration to several important factors, including the effects on nearby woodland and the impact on traffic. They feel that the development would end up resulting in disturbances and inconvenience to the local area. In sending this pre-action letter, they hope the council will reconsider its decision.”

Cherwell District Council has been approached for comment.