An appeal has been lodged against the decision of the Vale of White Horse District Council to refuse the application for 160 houses to be built in a field – often used by horses.

As people predicted the main grounds for appeal are :

• The district council’s local plan has run out and there is no new one in place.
• The National Panning Policy Framework (NPPF) means that in such cases national policies to meet housing targets should have more weight.

The appeal, although mostly couched in phrases pulled from the NPPF, also addresses more local grounds for refusal, saying:

• Abingdon treatment works will easily be able to deal with the extra load.
• If Oxfordshire County Council implemented the suggested traffic mitigation measures then traffic would be no worse.

(Thanks to Nigel for the pictures of the field.)

A NHS Children’s clinic now occupies part of the Clock House, which when opened in 1882 was home to a Conservative Working Mens Club. Three reliefs of Tory Grandees and a magnificent window adorn the front. It is good to see repairs now taking place before the rot sets in.

For more information on the reliefs try John’s Miscellany which he did for the blog in January 2010. I and maybe others in Abingdon are is still hoping there will be a 2nd John’s Miscellany.

The Vale of White Horse has refused planning permission for 160 dwellings on a field South of Abingdon.

Grounds for refusal included:
1. It is outside the provisions of the approved local plan.
2. It would generate additional traffic in an area already at capacity.
3. It would lead to loss of the rural aspect of the area.
4. It would generate more sewage in an area already at capacity.
5. The developers have not even entered into discussions about social housing and help towards highway measures etc. .

Around 200 people have written in response to the planning application, the vast majority are against.

The developers, Hallam Land Management Ltd, may still appeal.

Road works are taking place near Abingdon Community Hospital this week. There is an unused plot of land between Abingdon Motorcycles and Abingdon Court Care Home on Marcham Road, and Thames Water are working to supply water to the plot.

The plot was for many years covered by a mound of earth. It is now about to be built on.

A planning application was allowed on appeal for this plot (back in 2006) for a four storey residential development comprising 14 one & two bedroom flats with parking for twelve cars. So my guess is that there will be flats. But there are more interesting rumors that KFC are coming to Abingdon either here, or in the Abbey Shopping Centre.