Campaigners hoping to see the return of greyhound racing, and a number of other sports and activities to Oxford Stadium following a Local Government Plan meeting on Tuesday night between interested parties and Government planning inspector Nick Fagan.
Property agents Savills, acting on behalf of Galliard Homes offshoot vehicle Cowley Investments, claimed that the stadium was unviable and demanded permission to build 200 homes.
However the council’s own planning department who have opposed the Cowley investments produced a business plan to save the stadium. Their scheme would include a smaller building project for 100 houses, utilising some of the carpark, but would lead to the re-opening of the stadium.
Businessman Nick Budimir who aims to operate a greyhound operation should the council win the argument said: “The Oxford Local Government Plan could not have gone any better. Although we will not get the confirmation of the outcome until I believe February.
“There is little doubt that the developers will not be getting planning permission any time soon and hopefully this will bring them to the negotiating table.
“I would like to thank all those who turned up and those who wrote letters of support. I am now more confident than ever before,that we will see the stadium hosting not only greyhounds and speedway, but a vast range of leisure activities.”
