The QE2 Field is an aspirational new recreation facility for Stanford in the Vale.
History:
- The parish is underserved in recreational facilities on most metrics.
- The Parish Council have been trying to deliver this plan since 1999 but have been beset with one hurdle after another. These have included issues with planning, archaeology, ecology, great crested newts, potential land contamination, moving electrical pylons (removed 2018), drainage issues, lease issues (the field is owned by Oxfordshire County Council but leased {in 2016} to the Parish Council for 250 years) etc
- A business case was written following a public consultation. Planning Permission for Phase 1 (levelling the field and creating the pitches and courts) was granted in 2025.
- This is a Parish Council lead scheme with very limited support from the District Council.
Timescales (subject to change):
- Topsoil strip in 2nd half of 2026
- Subject to the Environment Agency appropriate permits that levelling will commence in 2028
- First playable pitches and racquet courts from early 2029
- Buildings will be built as funds permit from 2029 onwards (but these are still subject to planning permission)
What we hope to eventually deliver (full details are on the indicative plan shown below, but are subject to change):
- 2 full size football pitches
- Several different size junior football pitches
- A cricket pitch
- 4 x racquet courts (tennis, pickleball & padel)
- A fitness trail around the perimeter
- A bund to screen the A417 and provide a viewing bank for spectators
- Retention of existing bridleway
- A footpath around the outside of the field
- New changing rooms
- A pavilion of similar size to the existing village halls
- Storage for sports facilities and other village groups/ societies
- Storage for maintenance machinery
- Improved hedging around the field perimeter
- A meadow and orchard picnic area suitable for encouraging wildlife
- Car parking for 100+ cars
- A bus stop
Once the field is level and we have pitches, the Parish Council will be looking for lots of volunteers to assist in the fund raising for the buildings. We know that there is no point in doing this until the field is levelled as grant giving bodies will not accept applications until this initial stage is undertaken.
Updated details will be published on the Parish Council Website from time to time.