Oxford United’s New Stadium Scoops Deal Of The Year Award
More than 300 leaders from Oxfordshire’s property, science and innovation sectors attended the black‑tie ceremony, which was celebrating its seventh year at the historic Keble College in the city centre.
The new stadium’s approach to corporate social responsibility, its positive contribution to climate change, biodiversity, green space, the environment and its community were sighted as key reasons behind receiving the award.
The project’s commitment to inclusion, diversity and local collaboration was also recognised with entrants asked to showcase a deal, transaction or agreement which has positively changed the course of an organisation in the last year.
It marks the second time the Club’s new stadium project has been recognised after it scooped the ESG Strategy Award in July at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards.
Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, accepted the award on behalf of the Club.
He said: “Our proposed move to The Triangle near Kidlington represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a truly spectacular new home and secure the long‑term future of the Club.
“Beyond benefits to the Club and its supporters, we’re committed to delivering a multi‑functional Oxfordshire hub which positively contributes to communities both within and outside our catchment areas.
“We’re pleased these commitments have been recognised as it highlights our determination to deliver a world‑class stadium that embraces modern technology and design in every element of the development.
“Our thanks go to the OxPropFest Awards for their hospitality on the evening, to the judging panel and to all the other finalists and winners.”
Matthew Battle, Managing Director of UK Property Forums and OxPropFest Awards said: “The proposed new Oxford United stadium is not only a superb platform for the football club to grow from but is also symbolically important for the City of Oxford.
“With the football club doing well in the Championship, one can start to imagine how a new stadium could provide so much more to the wider community. Winning the award is all part of this journey and the judges at OxPropAwards wanted to show the importance of the deal in the transformation of Oxford North.”
The planning proposal submitted for the new stadium is to provide a sport, entertainment, business, community, education and tourism destination which the whole county can be proud of. The design includes a 16,000‑capacity stadium, 180‑bed hotel, conference and event space, along with a health and wellbeing centre, to help deliver significant economic and social benefits to Oxfordshire.
The visitor experience, inclusivity and sustainability have been placed at the heart of the design. It would be the first all‑electric stadium in the UK and includes a safe standing allocation, sensory room, 130 wheelchair spaces and wellbeing gardens.
Retail and community spaces, including a new club shop, sports bar and café, will feature in the northern part of the building with the stadium surrounded by open green spaces which will enhance biodiversity on the existing site by 10%.
Enhanced public transport and active travel routes such as footpath and cycle links will be built with the Club committed to halving carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net‑zero by 2040.
Further information about Oxford United’s new stadium proposals is available online via www.oufcstadium.co.uk.
