IT is pretty clear that people want Oxford Stadium to stay where it is. The news that bidders are now looking to ensure it opens up once again as a greyhound stadium will be welcomed by most people.

Some will say the city needs homes – and that’s true.

But few think the stadium is the right site.

Even if those behind plans to flatten Oxford Stadium for housing want the support of the community, they must also enter into an open and transparent discussion with willing bidders about its future.

Galliard Homes this week lost its bid for 220 homes at the site.

That does not mean the saga is over – it can appeal to the independent Planning Inspectorate and the scheme would then be at the mercy of Britain’s subjective and complex development laws.

One of the reasons the plan was rejected was the loss of greyhound and speedway racing at the site.

It would not hurt Galliard or stadium owner the Greyhound Racing Association to discuss offers to retain the stadium.

At the very least this will ensure Galliard has a full case to take to the inspectorate – should it wish to do so – about the “unviability” of sport at the site, and at best it will bolster the case to bring racing back to the stadium.

Galliard’s own case for housing can be made. Oxford is in dire need of new housing and major, previously developed sites like this are hard to come across.

We hope entrepreneurs’ plans for the stadium to reopen are successful and is shown to be the only use planners will allow.