Us decision was a Cherwell record breaker
15/08/2025
The number of people watching far exceeded any other previous meeting
Last night’s decision to grant Oxford United planning permission for a new stadium on land to the south of Kidlington was the most watched meeting ever streamed by Cherwell District Council.
A record 8,731 people logged on to see councillors decide to grant permission for a new 16,000 seater stadium, along with commercial and community facilities.
A spokesperson for the Council told Banbury FM it was by far the council’s most widely watched public meeting ever.
The number of people watching rose steadily through the evening, reaching a highpoint towards the end of the meeting as councillors made their decision.
During the mammoth four-and-a-half hour meeting planning committee members questioned officers on all aspects of the project and its impact on the local area.
Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill was the first to declare herself as “coming down off the fence” in backing the application, by proposing its acceptance. Leader of the Council, David Hingley seconded the motion, which subsequently passed with 14 in favour, one against and three abstaining.
Following the meeting Councillor Jingley said: “This is a very significant decision for Oxfordshire involving meticulous work by officers and extensive public consultation. Building on Green Belt land must not be taken lightly and requires very special circumstances to apply. Oxford United presented a compelling case, demonstrating the urgent need for the club to relocate and the wide-ranging benefits that their stadium will bring to the wider community.
“This well-informed decision has followed the consideration of thousands of pages of information and representations from both supporters and those concerned about the impact on the local area. It was a complex decision to make, but it now allows certainty for the future.
“Cherwell has provided the opportunity for Oxford United and professional sport to invest in the Kidlington area, creating new jobs and providing new social infrastructure in the south of our district.
“We will now be working to make sure the stadium is delivered to a high standard, that highways and public safety concerns are fully taken into account, and that the community and economic benefits, as well as supporting infrastructure, are delivered.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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