The draft local plan for the Vale of White Horse District until 2029 will be on view tomorrow (Tue 12 March, 12-7pm, Abbey Shopping Centre). There is also a chance to see an unmanned version of the plan at the Guildhall, or on the Vale’s website.

Most of the new houses will be in Wantage, Grove, Faringdon, and particularly Harwell. No major new developments are anticipated in Abingdon before 2029 because there is “significant existing highway congestion within the sub-area” and “Abingdon on Thames has experienced sustained growth over the last few decades.”

As to the proposed 160 houses in a field to the the South of Abingdon, they would not be allowed by the draft plan because of traffic. But as there is no saying what the planning appeals inspector might decide leaflets are going round South Abingdon saying you have until 15th March to make comments to the Planning Inspector.

As to the newer proposal for 60 houses in a field north of Abingdon (bottom end of Radley Road and bordering the Peachcroft Estate), that area is not mentioned in the plan either.

In the longer term it is admitted that Abingdon has to be allowed to grow or be left behind. So the plan says “The least constrained areas of undeveloped land lie to the south of the town. However, strategic housing growth could only be sustainably accommodated alongside the development of a town centre bypass which would need to be appropriately funded.”

There is little prospect of money to fund such a bypass even with developer funding, and so a track of land is secured for a future generation if they have means to build a bridge and road. The track runs from near Culham, across the River Thames, then between rugby pitches and sewage works, crosses the Drayton Road near Oday Hill, before heading round across the flood plain to Tesco.

The scaffolding is now down round the new care development located in the centre of Abingdon, where the Abbey Press and the MOT Centre once stood.

The care development has an outlook across the Waitrose Carpark on one side and the Abbey Grounds on the other. So will provide front seat views for the next Rock in The Park (if there ever is one) and The Abingdon Passion Play. There will be 71 suites in all for 71 residents, and a club with a spa and cinema. The first residents move in this Spring.

They plan to take an active part in Oxfordshire Artweeks, sponsoring three artists chosen because every person can continue to lead an active and fulfilling life no matter what their age. Pictures are from those same artists in the Artweeks brochure back in 2012.

The town council organised another public meeting regarding the proposed development of 160 houses in a field in South Abingdon, which got turned down by the district council, and has now gone to appeal.

All previous comments made to the district council about the plans will go forward to the planning inspector, but people can make new comments to the Planning Inspector,before 15th March. People can even ask to speak at the hearings.

The main reason the development is seen as unsustainable by a lot of locals is because of the traffic situation in South Abingdon. There was a lot of traffic on the Drayton Road after the meeting coming from South Abingdon.

Even more leaving South Abingdon via the Iron Bridge.

Residents are faced with yet another potential development which brings with it no additional infrastructure. The development would also detract from the rural environment of the area.

The developer’s appeal says it is close enough to facilities like schools and shops to make it ‘sustainable’. That houses need to be built in this area and that the district has only plans for 3.3 years of housing – not the required 5 years.

Seen here between The Harp and Al-Zaib is a modern purpose built office building within an attractive courtyard setting. The New Abbey Court offices benefit from a lift and car parking. But times have moved on and there are plans afoot to replace them with even newer housing.

The architects says “Due to its close proximity to Oxford town centre, Abingdon has seen an influx of young professionals in recent years.”