New Stadium The Triangle - Planning (S106 Agreed)

[SteMerritt]

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Yes that is correct. Extra year is to June 2027 and additional year conditional on planning would end in June 2028.

3 years is doable if permission is granted this summer.

 

[trainingcone]

Well surely you have it right there, the exceptional circumstances for building on green belt land.

With tat statement CDC must now know that we can’t stay where we are and the club will go out of existence

Perhaps we should all write into the portal again stating exactly this point

Yes and also mention the the stadium at the triangle will also be used as a GP Assessment Facility

 

[Wallop]

I think confirming the new status of the land sounds like a lengthy process mummified in red tape.

Positive as ever I see. You do know that planning is hard but that we have an expert firm working on it. I've known a lot of people who work at Ridge and the firm is extremely competent and well thought of.

 

[Scotchegg]

I appreciate that "the club" is an often sweeping term that somehow implies that everyone is equally reapinsible for everything.

However, I think it's fair to say that those responsible for the stadium and securing our long term future have played an absolute blinder here. It was only yesterday that some were asking whether Ridge and Partners were fit for purpose or catastrophising the entire project. And we had the "would you trust this lot with a new stadium" lines when looking at the recent embargo issues.

We know how hard it has been to negotiate with Firoka in the past, and we have seen how much weight had been put on the infamous email to FoSB by Kassam. To get a deal that secures our future until June 2028 AND dismantles 90% of all objections to the planning application at the same time is huge. And I agree with the previous post that said that all involved must be confident of the outcome for this to be released now.

This doesn't absolve anyone of the issues we had regarding the accounts, or the lack of communication across lots of areas. But credit where it's due to those who have taken a massive step in securing our future not only for the next few seasons but for many years to come.

 

[Wallop]

Firoz Kassam stated: “Oxford United have been a hugely important part of my life for over 25 years, but now is the right time for all of us to look to the next chapter.

“Agreeing to this extension allows Firoka Group to focus on developing the wider site for local people and the city of Oxford, whilst providing the Club with clarity in the short-term. It’s now up to others to approve planning to guarantee Oxford United’s long-term future.”

I think that says you suzy ian steve Victoria you have been completely wrong every step of the way

Oh that quote is beautiful - couldn't have written it better myself.

But......but.....he wants them to stay......but.....one Oxford Mail article.....but.....oh bollox.

 

[Wallop]

Two seasons gives us breathing space but still very tight. What happens after that if we’re still waiting for the stadium to be finished?

imho - if it's for example 3 months from completion, a further short term deal due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Hopefully not required though.

 

[Stanford yellow]

its started

 

[Maurice Earp]

From the Neighbourhood App
paul batt

West Kidlington·
19 mins ago
·

To the Friends of Stratfield Brake: Your Lies Are Dead. And So Is Your Campaign.You’ve spent years poisoning public debate with one core lie: “Oxford United can just stay at the Kassam.” You’ve made it the backbone of your opposition — a smug, deceitful fallback whenever reality knocked on your door. But now? That lie is officially, irreversibly dead.Oxford United and Firoka Group have signed a final extension. Final. Not the start of a new chapter — the end.The Kassam licence ends in 2026.A single, short-term extension could take us to 2028 — but only if the new stadium gets planning approval.No more extensions. No more leases. No “alternative option.”There is no parachute. No plan B. The club either moves forward or it dies. And you knew this — but you lied anyway.You lied to councillors.You lied to residents.You lied to the media.You lied because your anti-stadium crusade was never about truth — it was about obstruction, arrogance, and control.You’ve tried everything: fake environmental concerns, fabricated transport chaos, “loss of green space” hysteria — and through it all, your one big fantasy was that OUFC could be held hostage at the Kassam forever. Firoz Kassam himself has now slammed the door shut. Your delusion is over. And with it, so is your credibility.You are not a “community group.”You are not “friends” of anything.You are a small, bitter club of obstructionists trying to choke the life out of Oxfordshire’s only professional football club — a club that brings pride, identity, and opportunity to tens of thousands. You’ve tried to destroy that out of self-righteous spite.Well, here’s your reality check:You lost.You’ve been exposed.The only thing left is your cowardly retreat into silence or yet more fantasy.The Triangle stadium is Oxford United’s only future. And if you stand in its way now, you’re not protecting a field — you’re putting a nail in the coffin of a 131-year-old football club.That will be your legacy. Nothing else.Now sit down. Shut up. And get out of the way. History is moving on — with or without you.

 

[Wallop]

Wonder what extortionate rent he's charging?

And there you go again - some fantastic news is released and you post a really negative comment - with respect, how do you get through the day?

 

[Bicester Yellow]

View attachment 27157its started

What’s he/she going to do? Lay in front of the diggers

 

[Concretebob]

View attachment 27157its started

Small village, next joke please!

 

[Concretebob]

From the Neighbourhood App
paul batt

West Kidlington·
19 mins ago
·

To the Friends of Stratfield Brake: Your Lies Are Dead. And So Is Your Campaign.You’ve spent years poisoning public debate with one core lie: “Oxford United can just stay at the Kassam.” You’ve made it the backbone of your opposition — a smug, deceitful fallback whenever reality knocked on your door. But now? That lie is officially, irreversibly dead.Oxford United and Firoka Group have signed a final extension. Final. Not the start of a new chapter — the end.The Kassam licence ends in 2026.A single, short-term extension could take us to 2028 — but only if the new stadium gets planning approval.No more extensions. No more leases. No “alternative option.”There is no parachute. No plan B. The club either moves forward or it dies. And you knew this — but you lied anyway.You lied to councillors.You lied to residents.You lied to the media.You lied because your anti-stadium crusade was never about truth — it was about obstruction, arrogance, and control.You’ve tried everything: fake environmental concerns, fabricated transport chaos, “loss of green space” hysteria — and through it all, your one big fantasy was that OUFC could be held hostage at the Kassam forever. Firoz Kassam himself has now slammed the door shut. Your delusion is over. And with it, so is your credibility.You are not a “community group.”You are not “friends” of anything.You are a small, bitter club of obstructionists trying to choke the life out of Oxfordshire’s only professional football club — a club that brings pride, identity, and opportunity to tens of thousands. You’ve tried to destroy that out of self-righteous spite.Well, here’s your reality check:You lost.You’ve been exposed.The only thing left is your cowardly retreat into silence or yet more fantasy.The Triangle stadium is Oxford United’s only future. And if you stand in its way now, you’re not protecting a field — you’re putting a nail in the coffin of a 131-year-old football club.That will be your legacy. Nothing else.Now sit down. Shut up. And get out of the way. History is moving on — with or without you.

I want the mans babies I swear.

 

[ljs]

View attachment 27157its started

I wonder where he is going to move to.

 

[unification]

Great news, that’s what I expected tbh but glad it’s confirmed and we don’t have to share, as long as everything else goes to plan.

[2025's version of Les Wells has entered the chat]

I am so glad that this is sorted at least. Playing outside the county would have been unthinkable for an extended period and possibly not even sanctioned by the EFL. Who knows whether FK has us over a barrel or not? Regardless, we have to suck it up since there is nowhere else viable in Oxfordshire to play.

The clock is now well and truly kicking though. We have a timeframe to build it, assuming that planning permission is granted this summer. There's not much wiggle room to go wrong. Remember that this project is on undeveloped, virgin ground without any infrastructure to fall back on. It's a much more challenging project than, say, Brentford or Wimbledon's new grounds.

Exciting times and, whilst we don't much like the Kassam Stadium, I'm happy we have a home in Oxford for the next few seasons.

 

[Manorlounger]

View attachment 27157its started

For lack of any better response, On yer bike son!!

 

[Foley]

Extension for 2 years at the Kastad no doubt FOSB will say we’ve got a further 2years so why not permanently

Kassam himself seems to say clearly that will be it.

 

[SiHath]

I think this latest development shows that the approach the club have taken, and that fans groups have supported and been involved with from the start, is the right approach.

Jon Clarke, and everyone involved in the plans for the new stadium, have the experience in this field. They have got us to this point by calmly and factually presenting our case for a new stadium. There have been the occasional pause while additional information has been collated and presented, but we've been constantly moving in the right direction, and every now and then there's something like today's announcement that feels like it moves us another big step forward.

The opposition group have been scaremongering, but rather than engage directly with them and give them the oxygen of publicity that they crave, the club have overcome/dismantled/undermined every line of objection that has been attempted by putting together a comprehensive planning application that relies on facts, truth and real world solutions to problems.

We are never going to convince FoSB or its supporters that the new stadium is going to be good for the local and wider Oxfordshire public. But we never needed to. They're not the ones who will decide our fate. That will be planning officers, and councillors who have to make a decision based on the facts.

 

[Swinny]

View attachment 27157its started

Speaking as a resident of Kidlington, NOTHING annoys me more than people who call it a "small village"...we've got a population greater than a lot of the actual towns in Oxfordshire and the facilities to match.

 

[Wallop]

What’s he/she going to do? Lay in front of the diggers

Arthur tried it and 5 minutes later the whole world was destroyed......

 

[yellowbow]

Just picking up on this from Firoz Kassam

“Agreeing to this extension allows Firoka Group to focus on developing the wider site for local people and the city of Oxford, whilst providing the Club with clarity in the short-term. It’s now up to others to approve planning to guarantee Oxford United’s long-term future.”

Does this mean that we will lose the club shop and also maybe some of the car-park within the next couple of years?

Not to put a damper on it. It’s still good news

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Kassam himself seems to say clearly that will be it.

And even that’s conditional on getting permission.

So refuse permission they kill the football club.

It ain’t gonna happen, it would be political suicide frankly

 

[Billyox]

I want the mans babies I swear.

Form a queue

 

[Concretebob]

I wonder where he is going to move to.

I hear there's a spare home in Kent

 

[Billyox]

From the Neighbourhood App
paul batt

West Kidlington·
19 mins ago
·

To the Friends of Stratfield Brake: Your Lies Are Dead. And So Is Your Campaign.You’ve spent years poisoning public debate with one core lie: “Oxford United can just stay at the Kassam.” You’ve made it the backbone of your opposition — a smug, deceitful fallback whenever reality knocked on your door. But now? That lie is officially, irreversibly dead.Oxford United and Firoka Group have signed a final extension. Final. Not the start of a new chapter — the end.The Kassam licence ends in 2026.A single, short-term extension could take us to 2028 — but only if the new stadium gets planning approval.No more extensions. No more leases. No “alternative option.”There is no parachute. No plan B. The club either moves forward or it dies. And you knew this — but you lied anyway.You lied to councillors.You lied to residents.You lied to the media.You lied because your anti-stadium crusade was never about truth — it was about obstruction, arrogance, and control.You’ve tried everything: fake environmental concerns, fabricated transport chaos, “loss of green space” hysteria — and through it all, your one big fantasy was that OUFC could be held hostage at the Kassam forever. Firoz Kassam himself has now slammed the door shut. Your delusion is over. And with it, so is your credibility.You are not a “community group.”You are not “friends” of anything.You are a small, bitter club of obstructionists trying to choke the life out of Oxfordshire’s only professional football club — a club that brings pride, identity, and opportunity to tens of thousands. You’ve tried to destroy that out of self-righteous spite.Well, here’s your reality check:You lost.You’ve been exposed.The only thing left is your cowardly retreat into silence or yet more fantasy.The Triangle stadium is Oxford United’s only future. And if you stand in its way now, you’re not protecting a field — you’re putting a nail in the coffin of a 131-year-old football club.That will be your legacy. Nothing else.Now sit down. Shut up. And get out of the way. History is moving on — with or without you.

Wow hard hitting as ever

 

[Malc]

What’s he/she going to do? Lay in front of the diggers

I've got a license to drive diggers. And sometimes you cannot see what is on the ground in front of you. So you just drive on and hope that you don't flatten a wheel Barrow, or something else

 

[Foley]

From the Neighbourhood App
paul batt

West Kidlington·
19 mins ago
·

To the Friends of Stratfield Brake: Your Lies Are Dead. And So Is Your Campaign.You’ve spent years poisoning public debate with one core lie: “Oxford United can just stay at the Kassam.” You’ve made it the backbone of your opposition — a smug, deceitful fallback whenever reality knocked on your door. But now? That lie is officially, irreversibly dead.Oxford United and Firoka Group have signed a final extension. Final. Not the start of a new chapter — the end.The Kassam licence ends in 2026.A single, short-term extension could take us to 2028 — but only if the new stadium gets planning approval.No more extensions. No more leases. No “alternative option.”There is no parachute. No plan B. The club either moves forward or it dies. And you knew this — but you lied anyway.You lied to councillors.You lied to residents.You lied to the media.You lied because your anti-stadium crusade was never about truth — it was about obstruction, arrogance, and control.You’ve tried everything: fake environmental concerns, fabricated transport chaos, “loss of green space” hysteria — and through it all, your one big fantasy was that OUFC could be held hostage at the Kassam forever. Firoz Kassam himself has now slammed the door shut. Your delusion is over. And with it, so is your credibility.You are not a “community group.”You are not “friends” of anything.You are a small, bitter club of obstructionists trying to choke the life out of Oxfordshire’s only professional football club — a club that brings pride, identity, and opportunity to tens of thousands. You’ve tried to destroy that out of self-righteous spite.Well, here’s your reality check:You lost.You’ve been exposed.The only thing left is your cowardly retreat into silence or yet more fantasy.The Triangle stadium is Oxford United’s only future. And if you stand in its way now, you’re not protecting a field — you’re putting a nail in the coffin of a 131-year-old football club.That will be your legacy. Nothing else.Now sit down. Shut up. And get out of the way. History is moving on — with or without you.

Wow.
Talk.about hard hitting!

It will be interesting to see whether FoSB continue. It seems incredibly likely that they have lost.

 

[Colin B]

Good news that this is now in the open.

Discussions have been going on for some time, and I'd (grudgingly) have to say that Kassam's statement is the coup de grace, as it obliterates totally the whole "they can stay" argument.

But, he's not doing it for charity, he never has or will, and the figure I've been told we'll pay for those extra two years is truly eye watering. But that's where we're at and it's a whole lot better than the alternative of trekking to Wycombe for home games.

Our clock is now firmly ticking on a three year time span, which should focus everybody's minds, councillors included. From a construction point of view we previously had a two year programme from the first spade in the ground, and I don't see that should change. We just need to get the politics out of the way now and we're good to go.

Whenever this bloody planning meeting is I'll certainly be putting it in my diary to attend, and hope to see as many of you there as possible.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

And there you go again - some fantastic news is released and you post a really negative comment - with respect, how do you get through the day?

Do you think the extension would've come cheap?

Great news for the stadium hopes but expensive I'm sure.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Good news that this is now in the open.

Discussions have been going on for some time, and I'd (grudgingly) have to say that Kassam's statement is the coup de grace, as it obliterates totally the whole "they can stay" argument.

But, he's not doing it for charity, he never has or will, and the figure I've been told we'll pay for those extra two years is truly eye watering. But that's where we're at and it's a whole lot better than the alternative of trekking to Wycombe for home games.

Our clock is now firmly ticking on a three year time span, which should focus everybody's minds, councillors included. From a construction point of view we previously had a two year programme from the first spade in the ground, and I don't see that should change. We just need to get the politics out of the way now and we're good to go.

Whenever this bloody planning meeting is I'll certainly be putting it in my diary to attend, and hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Careful, you'll be accused of negativity by @Wallop if you question the new rent.

 

[Concretebob]

I've got a license to drive diggers. And sometimes you cannot see what is on the ground in front of you. So you just drive on and hope that you don't flatten a wheel Barrow, or something else

I think you'll have a few volunteers to drive the diggers!