A potential stumbling block to major plans by Oxford United Football Club to fund a new stadium by building a multiplex cinema has been removed at the eleventh hour.
The cash-strapped Division Two club, which has a half-built new stadium, claims that the only way to raise cash to complete the project is to also build a nine-screen multiplex cinema alongside it.
In March this year the High Court gave leave for British Railways Board, part owner of a rival development site at Oxpens Road, Oxford, and the developer behind the rival multiplex scheme (Pentith Ltd), to challenge the grant of planning consent.
Just as the full hearing was to begin at the High Court this week the challenge was dropped. Harrison J was told that negotiations had finally succeeded on Friday last week and the parties had agreed terms.
The agreement includes provision for Oxford Council to make land available for a mixed commercial leisure development to include a multi-screen cinema on terms to be agreed.
Now it is hoped that terms will be agreed in time for a meeting of the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on 12 September. Full council approval is hoped for by November with an exchange of contracts shortly afterwards.
PLS News 19/7/00
