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Oxford City Council and Firoz Kassam have today signed the Heads of Agreement in relation to the long awaited land deal at Minchery Farm. The deal involves the transfer of Council owned land at Minchery Farm to Firoz Kassam including the half built stadium site in addition to the leisure (multiplex) and hotel site on either side of the stadium.
Whilst FOUL welcomes this long overdue development we understand that this is only the first step in the legal transfer of land which is required for work to restart on the stadium. The Heads of Agreement form the basis for a full contract but aren't in themselves legally binding. We urge Oxford City Council in the shape of Council Leader John Tanner, Chief Executive, Bob Block and Director of Corporate Services, David Taylor to make sure that the full legal agreement is completed and signed as soon as possible. Fioroz Kassam has said that once this is in place he can have construction workers back on site within 7 days. Oxford United supporters won't need reminding that it is now almost 3 years since Taylor Woodrow walked off site for what has turned out to be (as reported at the time) the longest "Christmas Break" ever known in the construction industry. A speedy conclusion of the full agreement will hopefully see a restart before the anniversary of the halt in construction.
The completion of the agreement is also crucial to the long term survival of Oxford United in that it will enable the settlement with Taylor Woodrow under the terms of the CVA which for the first time in years will mean Oxford United FC will have debts which are within the value of its assets.
