A lot more houses have been built in the north Abingdon growth area.

A theme is developing on the Kings Gate Estate. Rather than Kings, the names being used are ex-Mayors of Abingdon; the latest to be revealed is George Aird, mayor from 1986 to 1987.

The developing road name theme on the Abbey Fields estate appears to be ex-Abingdon businesses. Hathaways was the tobacconist in the High Street.

Baileys sold and repaired shoes on Bath Street.

The entrance driveway to a new shop is being made.

The building is mostly complete and the shop is being kitted out and the car park laid. The opening is expected in December 2022.

As to the Lodge Hill Interchange work, paid for by these developments, the Oxfordshire County Council Website says ‘Phase One currently consists of submitting a planning application in early October 2022.’

I don’t think that has happened. Work on Abingdon Bridge was also expected to start in October 2022.

The frame of the new 85-bedroom hotel on the site of the old Tesco Garden Centre is underway.

Parts of the site are vulnerable to flooding. A flood-survey was done before development which says the building itself will be in flood zones 1 and 2. Part of the site area that will not be built on is flood zone 3a.

zone 1: less than 0.1% chance of flooding in any year
zone 2: 0.1% – 1% chance of flooding in any year
zone 3a: greater than 1% chance of flooding in any year
zone 3b: greater than 3.3% chance of flooding in any year

From the flood maps in the survey, it looks as if areas of the Tesco carpark, such as the area between the hotel and the filling station and access road are in zone 3b. The last widespread flooding of the Tesco Carpark and access road was probably February 2014 (pictured below).

Additional fortification has been added to the Upper Reaches Hotel to stop trespassers. There is no predicted date for when any real work will happen to use this land.

Repairs to Abingdon Bridge are now predicted for about October. The Jubilee flags are still flying as is the Ukrainian Flag from 24th August – Ukrainian Independence Day.

A brownfield site refers to previously developed land.

Ladygrove Cottage, next to Hartwells (car dealership), has been demolished and a 3-storey building is being built. It will contain four 1 bedroom and two 2 bedroom apartments and parking for 7 cars.

A few doors down, near the Caldecott Road roundabout, another house, the one that used to have two stone lions on the gateposts,  has been demolished. I have not seen plans for redevelopment yet.

The Ferry Boat Yard, off the Wilsham Road, will now have 3 new residential units consisting of one 1 bed, one 2 bed and one 3 bed house and car parking.

The Tesco Garden Centre will be a 86-bedroom hotel. It was not visible from Marcham Road but is now.