For years there was just a pile of earth between the motorcycle centre and care home on Marcham Road, but very high flats have replaced the pile of earth.

New retirement flats next to John Mason school are also nearing completion.

At Abingdon College the new training workshop for motor mechanics should be ready for the new college term.

Very difficult to see what is happening behind the stone wall of Our Ladies Abingdon, but a new design and technology centre should also be ready for the new school term.

In Abingdon, “Schools out for summer!”

The Blog will have a short summer break. Back in two weeks.

There are plans underway to demolish Mayott House, the care home next to the fire station, and erect 42 (affordable) flats for frailer older people together with a communal lounge area and courtyard.

Currently Mayott House looks like an ordinary Abingdon terrace without any doors. The planning application says “the existing building is now outmoded and not suitable for use or conversion. As a result the home is being closed and most residents have already been found new accommodation”

The new design is three storeys high but the third storey has dormer windows in the roof – not wanting to be overbearing.

There was a public consultation a few months back about the plans. The main concern by neighbours was the disruption caused during construction. Lets hope this will provide a place where elderly people can live as independently and cheaply as possible and that it does not need knocking down in another 40 years. The plans will be decided upon in the next few weeks by the district council.

The planning appeal by the developers was considered at the end of May and now a decision has been made. Quoting the planning inspectorate website  http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/ViewCase.asp?caseid=2191911&coid=2183168

The outcome was Allowed.

The planning inspector thinks there is a real need for more housing in Abingdon.

But he says no development should happen until there is a guarantee that the traffic mitigation measures are to be put in place – that is the additional crossing of Ock Street to the east of Drayton Road, to “avoid severe transport effects that would otherwise arise from the development.”

The planning application for the field at the edge of Peachcroft is now underway. Letters have been sent by the Vale of White Horse to neighbours asking for comments.

A lot of the land for the Peachcroft Estate was owned by Radley College and developed back in the 1970s. Just one corner plot has remained, and for some years was protected by covenant.

Radley College would now like to develop that field for housing. The money raised would fund further development of the college but has raised some opposition from the local people.

The decision will be made in September.