The immediate future of Oxford Road Sports Ground has been secured as a transition of ownership has been confirmed this week.
The ground, which has been a centre for sports and recreation in Bicester for over 100 years, has been a site of speculative development which has been strongly resisted by residents and local Councillors alike. Developers U & I, whose initial proposals to redevelop the facilities into commercial units and housing had not progressed past initial consultation, have disposed their interest to Value Retail.
Bicester Councillors have since liaised with Value Retail who have confirmed that no plans for the site have been considered at present and that the ground will continue to be operated by Bicester Sports Association (BSA) while they implement their plans to move to upgraded sports facilities in Chesterton.
In a joint statement, Bicester Conservatives said: “Oxford Road Sports Ground is a key part of the town which the residents feel a great sense of connection to. This has been demonstrated by the 2000+ signatures on the local petition to save the facilities from development.
We very much welcome the fact that this valuable community green space will not be developed in the short term and remain committed to working to retain its long-term future as recreational land for the benefit of the residents of Bicester. We will take Value Retail up on their commitment to consult on any future plans with local stakeholders.”