The tree in front of the Old Gaol was chopped down last week as development work moved to the Old Gaol itself and the waterfront.
The Old Gaol Heron will have to find another roost.
Here is a flash back to how the tree used to look – pictured for posterity.
A field off the Drayton Road where contested plans for houses are still under consideration is currently full of buttercups. Here is the Timeline so far
Aug 2012: Hallam Land Management consult on proposed plans for 170 houses in field off Drayton Road
Nov 2012: Plans are Submitted by Hallam Land Management for 159 houses in field off Drayton Road
Nov 2012: Large Public Meeting against the plans at Guildhall
Jan 2012: VWHDC turns down planning application
Feb 2013: Hallam Land Management launch appeal
Feb 2013: Second Public Meeting against the plans at Guildhall
May 2013: Planning appeal held at Guildhall
Jul 2013: Appeal Decision allows plans so long as the traffic mitigation measures (pedestrian lights to hold up traffic) are put in place
??? ????: Hallam Sells land to Taylor Wimpey
Mar 2014: Taylor Wimpey sign erected outside field
Mar 2014: Hallam’s Traffic mitigation measures are rejected by Oxfordshire County Council
Apr 2014: Taylor Wimpey put in retrospective planning application for sign ‘Land Acquired’
Hallam Land Management Website says “Our application for 159 units was granted in the Spring of 2013. The land was sold to a national developer in Spring of 2014”.
Taylor Wimpey website says “The site at Drayton Road, Abingdon already has detailed consent, however Taylor Wimpey will be replanning and lodging a new application in Spring 2014.”
The theme for the May 1st City Daily Photo is Squares. Last month was triangles.
A few weeks ago the demolition of the Mayott House – old people’s home – began. Different components were sorted and I got a picture of roof tiles stacked in square sided containers.
Beyond the square end of the hoardings, some rubble still remains from the concrete foundations, but the square plot of land is mostly cleared.
New independent living quarters for elderly people will emerge on the site. The building contractor has just been selected from among the tenderers.
The Old Gaol redevelopment is moving on and the former Police Station is now looking very smart.
Scaffolding has now moved to what was once the Tourist Information Centre / Music Centre. The pictured buildings will become apartments – with some community space for The Abingdon Bridge in the former Police Station, and a restaurant / cafe quarter downstairs in the The Old Gaol, and what was Tourist Information.