OXFORD United’s hopes of a new stadium will be back in the hands of councillors today.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet will discuss for a second time whether the U’s should be allowed to lease land at Stratfield Brake, south of Kidlington.

It is two months since the proposal last went before councillors, so here is everything that has happened since and what you need to know ahead of the meeting.

POLL: What do you think should happen with Stratfield Brake?

When and where is the cabinet meeting?

It starts at 10am and takes place in the council chamber at County Hall, in Oxford. However, the Stratfield Brake proposal is 15th on a packed agenda so is not expected to be discussed until 2pm.

You can follow live updates at oxfordmail.co.uk and watch the meeting here. 

What will be discussed?

Cabinet members are recommended to authorise council officers to enter negotiations with United over using council-owned land at Stratfield Brake to build a new stadium.

The club want to lease almost 45 acres of the site, with a view to building an 18,000-capacity stadium, community and sports grounds and hotel, retail and conference facilities.

It is important to note that this is just one step in a long process. If cabinet members go with the recommendation, they would have to approve any agreement reached between United, the council and its tenants at Stratfield Brake at a later date.

Only after that would the U’s be able to seek planning permission from Cherwell District Council.

Oxford Mail:

Stratfield Brake Sports Ground Picture: Ed Nix

Haven’t we been here before?

Yes. United’s proposal for Stratfield Brake first went to cabinet on January 18, but councillors decided to defer a decision until a four-week public consultation had taken place.

What did the consultation say?

The consultation started on January 25 and closed on February 22. There were 3,740 responses, producing the following results:

  • 80 per cent of people were in favour, with 18 per cent against.
  • Of the 2,910 people who said they were U’s fans, 93 per cent were in favour and six per cent against.
  • Out of 783 respondents who were not U’s fans, 33 per cent were in favour and 63 per cent against.
  • Of the 818 local residents who filled in the survey, 38 per cent were in favour and 58 per cent against.

READ MORE: Significant backing for Oxford United's stadium proposal

What else has happened since then?

As part of the decision being deferred, United were allowed to begin exploratory talks about the proposal with the council and its tenants and sub-tenants at Stratfield Brake.

Cabinet papers released ahead of today’s meeting say ‘key stakeholders are open to OUFC’s proposals and in most cases have requested that OCC conduct further discussions’ to clarify the plans’ detail and impact.

What are the key issues?

This is not a full list, but the consultation highlighted some key points on both sides.

Those in favour of the proposal pointed to the opportunity for the area and the club, the hundreds of jobs that would be created and the location, which lends itself to sustainable transport.

Respondents who were against United entering into discussions tended to focus on the impact on traffic and parking, as well as environmental concerns – particularly developing on green belt land.

READ MORE: Oxford United fanzone cancelled after landlord demands significant fee

Why do United want to move?

Their licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026, after which they could find themselves homeless.

The U’s pay significant rent to use the ground, owned by former chairman Firoz Kassam, and only last year secured the public catering rights to ensure they pocket a portion of the money spent on food and drink.