Yesterday there was an announcement by Sir Michael Fallon, The Defence Minister that 56 further Department of Defense sites are to be closed.

The list is to include Dalton Barracks and Abingdon Airfield. The leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council says “We are currently awaiting clarification on exactly when the sale is expected to happen, and how much and which parts of the site will be sold, before we can assess how the land could help the local need for housing in the future.”

The newest road in Abingdon is King Street – named after Percival Arthur King of Court 22 Ock Street. He was Abingdon’s first WW1 fatality.

While serving with the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment as part of the British Expeditionary Force, he was killed at Mons on the 10th September 1914 (just about 6 weeks after war broke out), and is buried at Oulchy-Le-Chateteau Churchyard extension.

Building of the new estate known as Morland Gardens continues apace. Prices range from £380,000 – £530,000 for 2, 3, & 4 bedroom homes.

Taylor Wimpey say “Whether you are a first time buyer or looking for more room for your growing family, you couldn’t be better placed to live life to the full than at Drayton Road.”

(South Abingdon residents have had to battle with traffic congestion for years, particularly on the Drayton Road. So be ready to leave early to work or school if you plan to go by car in the North Abingdon, or Oxford direction. Car and bus travel are much easier travelling to Milton Park or Harwell and to the south.)

Red Kite commented that a speculative developer has put in an Outline planning application to use land on Colwell Drive for 100 new dwellings.

The land is the site of some ex MG factory buildings, that have been reclad, and are currently used by UK Mail Ltd, and other companies, that are valued employers of local people.

The ex Saxton Arms was being boarded up yesterday following a call out for the fire service (reported in The Abingdon Herald). I don’t think the building was badly damaged, but the new owner is securing the building, pending work to bring the building back into use. There was a recent planning application to turn the building into flats.

Another boarded up building in the paper was the ex Upper Reaches Hotel. It will get extra police patrols following reports that people are playing in the grounds, and causing minor damage.