Campaigners against Oxford United's new stadium will take their fight to the Court of Appeal. The Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB) group confirmed the move after a judge refused permission for a judicial review for a second time in September.
FoSB first lodged its legal complaint in April. A permission hearing was held at the Royal Courts of Justice last month. The group said it would formally lodge the appeal on Thursday. "Our lawyers have advised that we have grounds to appeal the judge's decision," FoSB said.
Club's stadium vision remains unchanged
Oxford United continues to push ahead with plans for a 16,000-seater stadium on the Triangle site near Kidlington, despite the latest legal setback. The project, which includes a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community plaza, has received planning approval from Cherwell District Council and the government. The club has previously called it a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'.
The proposed stadium would be built to the north of Oxford beside the A34. The club's current home, the Kassam Stadium, has a lease that expires in 2028. The club has suggested its future could be in jeopardy without a new ground.
Background to the woodland dispute
The legal battle partly centres on claims that the Stratfield Brake woodland is ancient. Natural England initially considered the area to be ancient woodland during the planning process, which delayed the council's decision. It later reversed this view after examining historical Oxfordshire maps from the 18th and 19th centuries.
FoSB stated it believes the potential impact on the local community and the risk of damage to the woodland make the battle worth continuing.
On-field context
The legal news comes as Oxford United sit 10th in League One with 11 points from six games. Their recent form reads DWWLW, with a 1-1 draw against Cambridge United in their last outing. Gatlin O'Donkor is the club's top scorer this season with three goals. The team's next match is away to Notts County on 10 October.
The Court of Appeal process could add further time to an already lengthy planning process for the new stadium.
