Thanks to Steve for these pictures he took, of Stert Street, before new Abbey Court was built. A few days ago on this blog you may have seen developers want to demolish the new buildings.

Steve says “Originally it was the Cinema, fondly known as the Flea Pit. The two shops on the right are now Thomas Merrifield…

The old coach house building at the rear is still there, access via Abbey Close. Beyond, the small building was I believe the parcel office for the station?”

Steve adds “… shop to the right was Carter’s Toy Shop.”

Plans to demolish the New Abbey Court Offices in Stert Street, together with buildings behind, and replace them with new housing, was on the agenda for last week’s meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) Planning Committee.

The original plans had drawn opposition from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, The Friends of Abingdon, and neighbours.

Updated plans, which should have addressed some of those concerns, were issued, and recommended by VWHDC planning officers. The updated plans were not liked by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, or the Friends of Abingdon, and withdrawn from the VWHDC agenda at the last minute.

The Peachcroft Field Action Group have won the first round. The Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) has refused Radley College permission to build 55 houses on land designated as Greenbelt.

According to the VWHDC decision the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) only allows development on Greenbelt for:

• buildings for agriculture and forestry;
• provision of outdoor sport/recreation and for cemeteries
• extension or alteration to a building
• replacement buildings
• limited infilling in villages
• redevelopment of previously developed land.

The development does not seem to meet any of those criteria but, not being an expert, I have no idea whether Radley College will have grounds for appeal.

The Abbey Baptist Chapel down Checker Walk has been closed over the summer undergoing building work.

The entrance area used to look quite different. It is being remodeled, while inside more space has been created for a bigger balcony, as well as better toilet facilities down below.

The Abbey Baptists have been meeting in the Roysse Room at the Guildhall over the summer but should soon be back in their own building, even though there is some external work to do.

The Abingdon Anglo-German Club also normally use the Abbey Baptist building and will soon return.

Founded in 1982, the club’s aim is to stimulate interest in Anglo-German cultural and social pursuits. Their first talk of the season entitled Beethoven’s Piano Music: the sublime, the Comic, the Transcendental and the merely Human will be at the Salvation Army Citadel.