Oxford United鈥檚 new 16,000 capacity stadium has been designed to be the most sustainable mid-sized sports venue in the UK.
As the first all-electric stadium in the UK, it will operate entirely on renewable energy, integrating 3,500 sq m of roof-mounted solar panels, an air-source heat pump and an energy efficient building fabric will provide an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions per year compared with gas boilers.
The design and materials of the roof and stadium itself further add to sustainability. AFL Architects鈥� design of a bowl that has a steeper rake than normal and a diagonally sloping roofline was due to a deliberate choice to concentrate hospitality and hotel functions in the West and North stands.
The tapering of the roof towards the southeast is to blend the appearance of the stadium into existing woodland.聽 Lean structural frames and a timber roof also reduce the embodied carbon of the scheme.
Surveyors from Ridge & Partners worked alongside AFL Architects, consulting engineer Mott Macdonald and landscape architect Fabrik to develop the scheme. Ridge provided expertise across several aspects of the approved plans including site selection and planning, the sustainability strategy, and modelling and developing the transport strategy. Ridge also provided project management, design, environmental assessment and BREEAM consultancy services.聽
The 拢150m stadium will be built on a five-hectare (12 acre) site at the Triangle, 6km north of Oxford, and near to Oxford Parkway railway station and Kidlington roundabout. This location was chosen after an analysis of more than 60 sites close to Oxford City Centre, prioritising sustainability, community needs and absence of flood risk or heritage constraints.
The wider development includes a 180-bed hotel and conference centre.
The new stadium will increase Oxford United鈥檚 stadium capacity by 3,500, and should keep the club financially sustainable, with a permanent home and no longer reliant on short-term leases.聽聽The Championship club has a lease on its current ground, the Kassam Stadium, that was due to expire in 2026. It recently secured a two-year extension to give it time to get the new stadium built.
Oxford United development director Jonathon Clarke said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e absolutely delighted to have secured this crucial step to safeguard the club for generations to come. The committee supported the recommendation of the planning officer and has approved our stadium plans. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ridge & Partners who has been fundamental in reaching this milestone. Their dedication and expertise have truly made the difference in securing the future of Oxford United.鈥�
Ridge planning partner Giles Brockbank said: 鈥淭his is a momentous occasion for Oxford United, and for Ridge and our dedicated team who have been instrumental in helping the club get to this point. This project is more than a stadium 鈥� it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of Oxford鈥檚 only professional club, and deliver lasting social benefits for Oxford鈥檚 communities at the same time. Everyone who has been involved in translating this vision into a reality should be very proud. Our attention to detail, hard work and team ethic has helped bring Oxford United鈥檚 vision to fruition and we look forward to continuing to work with the club to implement the plans and deliver the transport strategy.鈥�
The new Oxford stadium is the latest in Ridge鈥檚 sports and stadia portfolio, including work on Stoke City FC Training Ground, Birmingham City FC training ground, Forest Green Rovers鈥� new stadium, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, the masterplan for Twickenham Stadium, and works to the roof of Arsenal鈥檚 Emirates Stadium.
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