The large office block, previously known as Mansard House, and more recently as Publishing House, has been converted into one and two bedroom flats.

‘To Let’ signs have now appeared at the windows as the work nears completion.

Round the back, the two fire-escapes have been enclosed to create entrances, and the windows have had balconies added. They look out towards the Charter multi-story car park – not very far away.

There is a long stretch of grass alongside the multi-story, with some bare trees.

There is no reason for anybody to go down that stretch of grass. It ends at a wall where a local comedian has painted an exit.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council agreed plans and a budget for redeveloping the Guildhall in a meeting on the 15th December, and are working towards a planning application for the changes.

The back view of the Guildhall will change as the unused concrete ramp, that frames this picture, will disappear.

The main change is to the 1960’s Abbey Hall. The stage will move from the left end to the right end. Raked seating will be added on the left, and the hall will be soundproofed so that louder entertainments are heard inside rather than outside.

The grass area will become a ground floor glassed entrance with a cafe area.

The budget for the project is about £2 million. A half of that comes from  money given to the town council by the district council as part of the hand over of the loss making Guildhall. The other half will come from a loan. The loan will be payed off by profits from the cafe.

The plans for the old entrance and foyer, and access to the old part of the building, are less clear. Answers to questions posed by Dr Jim Halliday, at a council meeting 2 weeks ago, indicated

“How the current lobby area and bar is used is subject to further discussion.”

“There is still an ongoing debate (with the proposed removal of the front ramp necessary to allow opening up the front elevation), how to still retain direct DDA access from the existing front steps to the existing first floor front entrance lobby. One suggestion would be to construct a discreet platform lift….”

So it appears that the plans are nearly there – but with some decisions still to take.

The Planning Inspector has started his Stage 2 hearings regarding the – Vale of White Horse District Council – Local Plan to 2031. The hearings started today (Tuesday 2) and carry on till Friday 19 February.

Sessions most likely of interest are:
Wednesday 3: Green Belt
Thursday 4: Strategy for Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub Area
Tuesday 16: Five-Year supply of housing land
Thursday 18: Supporting infrastructure and services

The hearings are at the Beacon in Wantage, starting at 10.00 each day. Anyone can go and observe, but only those pre-registered can speak. There are a lot of written submissions already.

For example Carter Jonas for Commercial Estates Group want to develop the area north of Abingdon with 800 houses and a primary school. They have a long documents why this development is ‘soundly based and deliverable‘.

The North Abingdon Local Plan Group are against this development for reasons of traffic congestion and air pollution.

More information at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/new-local-plan-2031/vale-white-horse-local

Thanks to Hester for letting us know.

Just off the Drayton Road in Abingdon, the first of 159 residencies are taking shape.

There were a number of attempts to stop this development which local people, councillors, and the MP opposed as not being in the right place. But as there was no local plan in place at the time the development was allowed by a planning inspector.

Off the Oxford Road another smaller development is taking place. In this case there was controversy because all the trees were cleared from the site even though that was not in the planning application.

The former home of Status Trophies, 99 Ock Street, is being extended at the back and turned into housing.