General New Stadium Plans - Stratfield Brake

[Colin B]

I believe Minnesota United's stadium took 20 months to build hence the speculation (and @Colin B 's hint it'll have a LED exterior!) the design at Stratfield Brake will be inspired by that as well as a vague similarity on the masterplan.

Hopefully it'll have a low roof for a) acoustic reasons and b) to stop it being too visible from a distance, the local residents will likely say it'll spoil their view or be an eyesore.
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Just for clarity, and to stop everyone getting ahead of themselves, yes I did make reference to LED lighting in an earlier post. I did not say our stadium will be modelled on Allianz Field though. It may be, or it may not be, those decisions have not been finalised at this stage.

A number of design requirements have been identified, such as capacity, facilities within (and without), possible architectural appearance, sustainability requirements etc etc. A number of architects and consultants have been spoken to over the last three years or so, and some design and masterplanning work has been done.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves and start discussing the minutiae of design of a stadium that ours may, or may not, be based upon. There's still a lot of decisions to be made, and many will only be made after consultation with planners and those affected by the development.

If you ask me for my honest opinion, I think/hope we'll end up with something better than Allianz Field.

 

[Tomox]

@Colin B Apologies for peppering you with questions, but has any work been done on what the club think can be achieved in terms of attendances? Maybe they've done case studies on Brighton and Rotherham for example..Brighton in particular I think went from around 7k to 20k in one season. I believe Brighton won promotion from L1 to the Championship in their last season at Withdean, but that increase is still very impressive and I would hope the club are looking at how they achieved this.

 

[Coffin dodger]

populous unveils winning stadium design for mexico football club tigres UANL

www.designboom.com

Populous announce new stadium in Mexico

 

[theWizard]

One of the biggest fears I continue to hear from residents is parking.

This needs a very clear message from the club but I was wondering if the fans could also do something? Is there someway we could evidence with a poll/questionnaire how we each would ditch our Kassam Stadium Car Journey for something public transport related?

...and perhaps an illustration of those still making the journey by car will be a much smaller number than feared and easily covered by the Park and Ride options ?

 

[theWizard]

and if the Permit Holding Parking was expanded through the Garden City area of Kidlington, it would help take this off the table

 

[Colin B]

@Colin B Apologies for peppering you with questions, but has any work been done on what the club think can be achieved in terms of attendances? Maybe they've done case studies on Brighton and Rotherham for example..Brighton in particular I think went from around 7k to 20k in one season. I believe Brighton won promotion from L1 to the Championship in their last season at Withdean, but that increase is still very impressive and I would hope the club are looking at how they achieved this.

Yes, lots of very detailed work has been done on this, some in-house, and some by consultants. The two clubs you mentioned were looked at, but also a number of others. It proves exactly why 18,000 is the optimum capacity for us.

 

[MJB]

I've emailed my District County Councillor, as below, and cc'd in the Leader Cllr Leffman and relevant Cabinet members Cllr Bearder and Cllr Enright, as below.

"I wanted to write to you following the announcement of Oxford United Football Club's preferred stadium site of Stratfield Brake and state that I would be strongly supportive of this happening.

I appreciate that the location is outside of your Division, but I was keen to register my view as I believe it would be a positive development for not only the football club, which has strong community ties across Oxfordshire and which has only improved during the global pandemic, but also the wider Oxfordshire region.

This includes the Division of Kingston & Cumnor - for which I am a constituent - from which I often travel to the current Kassam site with friends and family. We currently do so via car but would all revert to public transport if Stratfield Brake were to become the new stadium site as the opportunities to use bus, Park and Ride or train would be greatly enhanced. This is in addition to the sustainability and carbon reduction benefits that the stadium itself introduce as part of the planning process.

We would also be much more inclined to remain at the stadium site for a longer period, to buy food and drink and generally spend more money if the proposed development happens as the surrounding facilities would be much more appealing. I have no doubt that this would be the case for many others who are keen to spend money in the local community on an activity which would be served better at the new site and which would also offer additional employment opportunities.

Additionally, an improved stadium experience would also mean that I was much more likely to bring along my two young daughters and partner and involve them in what is a very community minded social activity. The current Kassam site does not lend itself well to bringing along our children as the site is a not very accessible or attractive one, so the move would I'm sure increase our leisure pound spending in a community activity (and also increase female engagement in what has typically been a male dominate sport over many decades).

This feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide not only a community club, but also the wider Oxfordshire region, with the chance to introduce a development which will benefit the county socially, economically and sustainably and I would urge you to encourage your fellow Councillors to support this fantastic initiative."

Hope many others do the same.

Here’s the reply I got which is generally positive and pragmatic.

“Many thanks for getting in touch regarding OU’s new stadium proposal.

Noted and I agree conceptually.

I am looking forward to seeing the plans to confirm that no serious objections are likely to be raised from local residents but you have my support in principle.

Thanks again for raising it. I am a huge advocate of sport in the community and any ideas that bring health and well-being benefits for all our residents so this is much appreciated.”

 

[Sarge]

One of the biggest fears I continue to hear from residents is parking.

This needs a very clear message from the club but I was wondering if the fans could also do something? Is there someway we could evidence with a poll/questionnaire how we each would ditch our Kassam Stadium Car Journey for something public transport related?

...and perhaps an illustration of those still making the journey by car will be a much smaller number than feared and easily covered by the Park and Ride options ?

spot on @theWizard ,parking will be a sizable (local) issue in 'South' Kidlington with some residents 'opposing' the stadium plans*

As it currently stands, from OX3 there's NO direct bus to Kidlington .... easily rectified with Council ( City & County both) input, either resurrect the old Number 2 bus Baarton/ Risinghurst ( & Sandhills) to Kidlington, and/ or ensure the weekday daytime 700 service from the Headington hospitals to Kidlington ( calling at Oxford Parkway) runs on Weekend and evening matchdays

Other OX postcodes too, will presumably require similar ' football special' services

as well as ensuring there are buses from various points of the shire, perhaps the powers that be in the logistics can consider arrival times of football specials ( at Stratfield Brake) , the football special bus that goes up Headley Way arrives at the breeze block around ten mins before kick off.... which given the amount of delays/ hold ups / road works ever present in and around Oxford, really isn't a good (IMO)


Residents parking zones may help in Garden City area...though it costs residents around £60 per year for a residents parking permit- though they do have visitors permits.... which could be 'lucrative' on matchdays !

* of course , if a traditional style proper pub is factored in to the stadium footprint, that may help sway some residents as the closest pub is The Red Lion some 25-30 min walk , or the Turnpike , as similar distance albeit across fields etc, on the edge of Yarton

 

[theWizard]

* of course , if a traditional style proper pub is factored in to the stadium footprint, that may help sway some residents as the closest pub is The Red Lion some 25-30 min walk , or the Turnpike , as similar distance albeit across fields etc, on the edge of Yarton

Not sure that the Average Kidlington Nimby will be lured by the promise of a pub. They will be won around by a quality amenities that doesn't threaten their driveways

I'm sure that the Bull and Lion will become beacons for the Oxford fans who are Kidlington residents. This in turn, will encourage the fans from surrounding towns to the pre-match atmosphere.

EDIT: If you're not aware, the buses in Kidlington are excellent. The ability to drink pre-match in the Bull and Lion and catch a bus almost outside to the ground will be very tempting... in fact this goes for all Kidlington Pubs. I see the Bells picking up a lot of pre-match custom too

 

[Scrongo]

spot on @theWizard ,parking will be a sizable (local) issue in 'South' Kidlington with some residents 'opposing' the stadium plans*

As it currently stands, from OX3 there's NO direct bus to Kidlington .... easily rectified with Council ( City & County both) input, either resurrect the old Number 2 bus Baarton/ Risinghurst ( & Sandhills) to Kidlington, and/ or ensure the weekday daytime 700 service from the Headington hospitals to Kidlington ( calling at Oxford Parkway) runs on Weekend and evening matchdays

Other OX postcodes too, will presumably require similar ' football special' services

as well as ensuring there are buses from various points of the shire, perhaps the powers that be in the logistics can consider arrival times of football specials ( at Stratfield Brake) , the football special bus that goes up Headley Way arrives at the breeze block around ten mins before kick off.... which given the amount of delays/ hold ups / road works ever present in and around Oxford, really isn't a good (IMO)


Residents parking zones may help in Garden City area...though it costs residents around £60 per year for a residents parking permit- though they do have visitors permits.... which could be 'lucrative' on matchdays !

* of course , if a traditional style proper pub is factored in to the stadium footprint, that may help sway some residents as the closest pub is The Red Lion some 25-30 min walk , or the Turnpike , as similar distance albeit across fields etc, on the edge of Yarton

Can't do the old number 2
Cornmarket has been closed for years.
The bus from woodfarm went to wovercote, but alas the closure of cornmarket stopped that route as well
They were both handy bus services.

 

[Sarge]

Can't do the old number 2
Cornmarket has been closed for years.
The bus from woodfarm went to wovercote, but alas the closure of cornmarket stopped that route as well
They were both handy bus services.

reroute the 'old' 2 (& 7 (?) either through town/ and round the Oxpens, gloc green & Beaumont street onto St Giles , then on to Kidlington Via Woodstock rd to Stratfield Brake or Banbury rd to OX Parkway ( though prob not a good idea on Saturdays! ??) or, down Headley way & through Summertown up the Banbury road/ Woodstock rd to Ox Parkway/ Sratfield Brake on Matchdays?

or maybe have the current 700 bus running when games are on?

 

[Essexyellows]

and if the Permit Holding Parking was expanded through the Garden City area of Kidlington, it would help take this off the table

That's the solution, same as residents in BBL have.

The Kidlington residents also seem concerned about sheer volume of traffic on the surrounding infrastructure - that might be trickier to resolve.

 

[oufc1991]

reroute the 'old' 2 (& 7 (?) either through town/ and round the Oxpens, gloc green & Beaumont street onto St Giles , then on to Kidlington Via Woodstock rd to Stratfield Brake or Banbury rd to OX Parkway ( though prob not a good idea on Saturdays! ??) or, down Headley way & through Summertown up the Banbury road/ Woodstock rd to Ox Parkway/ Sratfield Brake on Matchdays?

or maybe have the current 700 bus running when games are on?

So affectively for some fans moving from the kassam.to a new stadium at SB is still going to cause the same issues of getting to the stadium I appreciate buses trains go to SB but it's going to be fun finding ways to get there

 

[theWizard]

That's the solution, same as residents in BBL have.

The Kidlington residents also seem concerned about sheer volume of traffic on the surrounding infrastructure - that might be trickier to resolve.

I think that's noise

Most NIMBYS won't be driving at this time. They will behind the net curtain watching for interlopers near their dropped curb

Solve parking concerns with a number of measures by the council, the club owners and commitment by fans and you're golden.


On the flipside, I present the morning rush-hour as a reason why NIMBYs aren't traffic bothered... because if they were, they'd have already left the village.

 

[Scrongo]

reroute the 'old' 2 (& 7 (?) either through town/ and round the Oxpens, gloc green & Beaumont street onto St Giles , then on to Kidlington Via Woodstock rd to Stratfield Brake or Banbury rd to OX Parkway ( though prob not a good idea on Saturdays! ??) or, down Headley way & through Summertown up the Banbury road/ Woodstock rd to Ox Parkway/ Sratfield Brake on Matchdays?

or maybe have the current 700 bus running when games are on?

Yeah I get you,
But whose responsible for it bus company's or council
Got a feeling it's a bit of both.

 

[oufc1991]

Perhaps the club could have coaches like when we go to away games these coaches could pick up in certain locations eg bbl rose hill wood farm and drop fans closer to the stadium just a suggestion

 

[Sarge]

So affectively for some fans moving from the kassam.to a new stadium at SB is still going to cause the same issues of getting to the stadium I appreciate buses trains go to SB but it's going to be fun finding ways to get there

Same issues for some of the (same) people, and also 'new' issues for others too + easier access for some - swings 'n roundabouts, ( in ,Oxford traffic lights .....& constant roadworks too)

One good point (& there isn't many) about the breeze block is the sizeable carpark (inc overflow) .... parking WILL be limited , certainly in comparison , at Stratfield Brake ..... though the drive in/ through PCR test area currently located in OX Parkway P& R will free up some car parking spaces near-ish to SB

 

[Sarge]

Perhaps the club could have coaches like when we go to away games these coaches could pick up in certain locations eg bbl rose hill wood farm and drop fans closer to the stadium just a suggestion

Think the Football special bus services on matchdays are set up between OUFC and a local bus company?

 

[Manorlounger]

That's the solution, same as residents in BBL have.

The Kidlington residents also seem concerned about sheer volume of traffic on the surrounding infrastructure - that might be trickier to resolve.

With the already planned improvements to the roads around Pear tree and Kidlington there shouldn't be any need to drive through Kidlington at all. Access to the car parks at Oxford Parkway and Water Eaton park and ride would always be via the A34 with connections from the A40 and A44. These are all dual carriageway and shouldn't present any problem.

 

[Scotchegg]

Regarding matchday coaches as @oufc1991 suggests, I've always felt like we've missed out on this. If we had "partner" pubs in various local towns and parts of Oxford, fans could have pre/post game drinks then jump on a coach/mini bus to and from the games. These pubs would be able to promote the games and benefit from food and drink sales, whilst the club get increased attendance from a handful of coaches rather than hundreds of cars. It would be like having a dozen supporter clubs throughout the county.