OUFC New Stadium
Green Belt and nature – Frequently asked questions and answers
June 2025
Overview
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) note sets out answers to key questions on the Green Belt and nature matters in relation to the Oxford United new stadium project at The Triangle. All the answers are taken from information provided to Cherwell DC in the new stadium planning application.
Ask us – do you have a Green Belt or nature question?
This FAQ answers the main questions related to Green Belt and nature. If you have a question not answered here please let us know at oxfordunitedfc@devcomms.co.uk.
Key questions and answers
The Triangle site is in the Green Belt – how is the Club allowed to build a new stadium here?
Oxford United’s new stadium planning application conforms with the Government’s 2024 National Planning Policy Framework on the classification of Green Belt land. This guidance states that, in some instances, (specifically, where Green Belt land does not strongly contribute to the ‘core purposes’ of the Green Belt) Green Belt land can be classified as Grey Belt land and is considered more suitable for development.
The concept of Grey Belt was introduced into the National Planning Policy framework in December 2024 with an accompanying guidance note published in February 2025.
The guidance explains that Grey Belt is land in the Green Belt that doesn’t significantly contribute to preventing urban sprawl or maintaining historic settings of settlements.
Oxford United conducted a rigorous Green Belt Assessment in light of the updated planning guidance and it is clear that The Triangle site where the new stadium is proposed can be considered Grey Belt land. Consequently, the new stadium at The Triangle does not constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt and there is no longer the requirement for the Club to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’ to develop the site that would apply if it was Green Belt land.
If Cherwell District Council considers that the site should be considered as Green Belt and not Grey Belt, the Club has also demonstrated that there are ‘Very Special Circumstances’ that would make The Triangle site appropriate. These are the need to relocate from The Kassam Stadium; the financial sustainability of the Club owning its own stadium; and the lack of a suitable, alternative site (from over 60 assessed).
Why can’t the Club stay at the Kassam Stadium?
The Club has confirmed jointly with the Kassam Stadium’s owner that it cannot provide a long-term home for the Club. The existing license for the Club to play at the Kassam, which was due to expire in June 2026, will now run for at least one additional year, with an option to extend for a maximum of one more year thereafter, conditional on planning permission for the Club’s proposed new stadium being approved. Following this, no further extensions or new lease agreements at the Kassam will be possible.
How will the new stadium impact nature and local wildlife?
The Triangle site is currently grassland and a willow plantation, which will be replaced by the new stadium. The extensive existing woodland to the south of the site will be protected and managed, forming a green ‘buffer’ to the new stadium.
Comprehensive wildlife and habitat surveys were submitted as part of the planning application and detailed management plans will be legally required to ensure that there are no significant impacts on nature and wildlife at the site.
Key to these plans will be significant new tree and other landscape planting that will be carefully selected to improve nature and wildlife opportunities across the site, providing a major improvement in biodiversity.
The new planting will include a new enhanced approach from Oxford Parkway and Kidlington to the site; parkland and landscaped areas with boulevard planting and retained tree and hedgerows; and a new accessible plaza and garden which has been carefully designed to embrace natural beauty.
Overall the new stadium would provide new tree planting, green roofs, beehives, ponds, rain gardens, and wildflower meadows delivered on site, with a further 20% net biodiversity improvement for the benefit of the community provided off-site (the legal requirement for developments is 10%).
A full impact assessment for ecology has been undertaken and submitted as part of the planning application.
Is the woodland buffer to the south of the stadium ‘ancient woodland’?
No, the woodland buffer to the south is not ancient woodland as it was not recorded on the site prior to 1600 (all woodland older than this is classed as ‘ancient’). Nonetheless, the woodland will be retained.
There is a lot of flooding in this area – will the new stadium make it worse?
The new stadium will not make local flooding worse. The Club has committed to a sustainable drainage strategy that avoids discharging excess surface water into the local drainage network.
Drainage for the new stadium will be controlled and managed, with rainwater stored on the stadium site in large storage tanks and only drained into the local drainage system in a controlled way. The site would drain at the same rate as a green field site.
The stadium drainage system is designed to ensure there is no increase in flood risk elsewhere, including downstream, and also has a built in capacity allowance for potential future climate change.
We are also aware of existing local flooding issues in the area, particularly at Stratfield Brake Sports Ground, which is caused by blockages in the adjacent watercourses controlled by The Woodland Trust. The Club has offered to work with The Woodland Trust to support them in addressing these drainage issues, as part of our commitment to fund improvements the playing facilities at Stratfield Brake.
