KIDLINGTON Youth FC are keen to work with Oxford United on a potential relocation should the club’s plans for Stratfield Brake come to fruition.

The U’s have identified the sports ground, south of Kidlington, as their preferred site for a new stadium.

They have made a formal proposal to landowner Oxfordshire County Council to lease Stratfield Brake for 250 years and this will be discussed at a council cabinet meeting this afternoon.

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Several community clubs hire Stratfield Brake and United have said they will aim to provide ‘new and improved’ facilities in the locality if their plans progress.

U’s representatives have spoken to the teams who use the sports ground and met Kidlington Youth last Wednesday.

Richard Hague is chair of the club’s vision committee, which focuses on its long-term future, and thought early discussions were positive.

“Their proposal aligned well with our strategy in terms of moving our club forward,” he said.

“Based on their public statements and the meetings we’ve had, I’m convinced that they’re committed to ensuring the same if not improved facilities.

“We’re keen to work with Oxford United to make this happen.

“It’s fair to say that there’s no strong affiliation from the club to Stratfield Brake.

“That’s mainly because of issues with drainage at the far end.

“It’s a facility primarily for the rugby and cricket clubs and we’re at the bottom.”

Hague added that managers of Kidlington Youth’s 30 boys and girls teams met to talk through United’s proposal on Sunday night, with the plans ‘greeted favourably’.

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The club were founded in 1966 and boast more than 500 players.

The majority of the pitches they use are at Stratfield Brake, but some are at other venues.

The Local Football Facility Plan for Cherwell, which is prepared by governing bodies, states that Cherwell District Council have allocated land ‘adjacent to Stratfield Brake’ for ‘potential use’ by Kidlington Youth.

This is proposed to include one full-size 3G pitch, plus two 11v11 and two smaller grass pitches, plus a pavilion and car parking.

Hague said: “That was to keep up with the expansion of the club when the new development turns up.”

Cherwell District Council has earmarked Green Belt land surrounding the villages of Begbroke, Yarnton and Kidlington for 4,400 houses in their Local Plan.

United have proposed to lease 18 hectares of Stratfield Brake, with a view to building an 18,000-capacity stadium, community and sports grounds and hotel, retail and conference facilities.