The Friends of Stratfield Brake formed in 2022 to oppose Oxfordshire County Council's (OCC's) proposal to allow Oxford United Football Club (OUFC) to build a 18,000+ stadium and associated commercial development on Stratfield Brake and/or the Triangle.
Residents in Kidlington and the North Oxford area have good reasons for saying a stadium here is unacceptable. The land in question is designated as Green Belt. It is not included for development in the local plan. OCC's proposal is completely against both local and national planning policy.
Many other objections include the loss of recreational facilities, traffic, parking, noise, plus the damaging effect on the Nature Reserve, drainage issues etc. OUFC's own consultants admit that there will be a loss of biodiversity. A new stadium to replace the relatively new Kassam Stadium CANNOT achieve net zero.
There was also the logistical difficulty of the long lease on Stratfield Brake being held by Kidlington and Gosford & Water Eaton Parish Councils. We believe it was this that led to OCC's statement regarding "considerable challenges associated with Stratfield Brake" and their decision to offer OUFC the Triangle site instead. The Parish Councils do not have a lease on the Triangle so it is under OCC's control.
OCC IS DELIBERATELY IGNORING LOCAL OPINION.
IT IS IMPOSING THE STADIUM ON UNWILLING COMMUNITIES.
IT FAILS TO PROPERLY INFORM RESIDENTS.
IT WILL NOT HOLD AN APPROPRIATE LOCAL CONSULTATION.
IT IS SURRENDERING COMMUNITY ASSETS TO A COMMERICIAL ENTERPRISE
OCC was right to withdraw the offer of Stratfield Brake but totally wrong to offer the Triangle as an alternative. Most of the same limitations and concerns apply to the Triangle. Over 2,000 homes are going to be built in the immediate area and over 4,500 are planned in total for the wider area.
We believe that that the Triangle, which was purchased by the County Council to maintain the gap between Kidlington and Oxford, is a precious resource for the local community, it should be protected as such.
It was an easy decision for us to oppose a stadium on the Triangle. and we will continue our campaign on this basis.
We will continue to oppose a stadium on the Triangle and all other local Green Belt sites for as long as it takes!
STOP THE STADIUM - KEEP THE GAP GREEN
The Friends of Stratfield Brake:
As a self-formed group representing the community, we clearly cannot compete with the financial resources of a commercial organisation with a large fan base but we are determined to make our voices heard.
Our supporters include football fans who sympathise with OUFC’s plight, but firmly believe the Stratfield Brake / Triangle area not the right solution.
To run an effective campaign, we need as much support as possible. If you want to Stop the Stadium and Keep the Gap Green please join our mailing list.
We need to make our voices heard !