The inspector looking into the Vale of White Horse development Plan to 2031 has said that, subject to some modifications, he is likely to find that the plan is sound and can be adopted. The only modification that may effect Abingdon is ‘Whilst the inspector is happy that there are exceptional circumstances to amend the green belt in four areas where the council is proposing housing allocations.He is not satisfied with other proposed changes to the green belt where no housing is proposed and has stated there are not exceptional circumstances to justify them.’

So it looks like the 1000+ new houses to the North of Abingdon will be allowed. I am not so sure about the Park and Ride for 1600 cars, and ancillary development at Lodge Hill. The full press release is available under the title ‘Great news for the Vale’s Local Plan’

The first of the new dwellings on the Morland Gardens development in South Abingdon are built and a sales office has opened. They are just off the, often congested, Drayton Road.

In Drayton, another development called Walnut Meadow is being built on the Abingdon Road (other end of same road).

Most of the villages around Abingdon have fought and failed to stop developments in the last 5 or 6 years since the government changed the rules. Just south of Drayton, residents of Milton Village are currently fighting 50+ new houses.

The owners of the Boundary House pub, in North Abingdon, have not barricaded themselves against an invasion of football fans from the Northcourt (Abingdon United’s home just over the road). They are just having a revamp, and will be re-opening on Friday the 13th May 2016.

Two doors down at 65 Oxford Road the land has been transferred from Orchard Developments to a new owner and development is now well underway. I believe that a condition of this particular development is that any trees chopped down, before the transfer, are replaced by new planting.

P.S. Thanks to Helen for sending a picture of the new sign at the Boundary House.

This is from Chris …

“The new junction at Morland Gardens is poorly designed and dangerous for cyclists.

I will be cycling along the main road from now on.”