Work on the new Premier Inn near the Marcham Interchange is nearing completion.

This raises the question of the future of the existing Premier Inn, a quarter mile away along the Marcham Road.

That, together with the Ock Mill Beefeater Restaurant, alongside, is owned by Whitbread.

John commented that a property agent has a brochure for the sale of the site at https://www.geraldeve.com/properties/?propertyid=26682, but at the moment it has a status of ‘withdrawn’. The site is not in the current Vale of White Horse local plan (2031), and would need planning permission for change to an alternative use.

Despite a dip in house prices of approximately 4% compared to last year,

progress is being made in the Abbey Fields and Kings Gate developments.

A pedestrian and cycle path has opened, connecting the Abbey Fields development to Tilsley Park, with plans to extend it through to the Kings Gate Development.

Infrastructure such as the A34 diamond interchange, schools, community centre, and playgrounds are not yet built.

But in response to the anticipated influx of residents from the 1100 new houses, the Long Furlong Medical Centre has submitted a planning application for three additional consulting rooms. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of six car parking spaces, which may result in increased parking on local roads, upsetting local residents.

Without playgrounds for the new houses, younger residents have been making some colourful chalk designs in Hobby Green. Pat Hobby, a former Mayor as well as a primary school teacher, would be thrilled with their creative artwork.

The Premier Inn on Marcham Road is watertight. Work to install lifts and electricals is progressing inside. Aluminium-coloured cladding has been added to the external walls of the first and second storeys. The building replaces the Tesco Garden Centre.

The new flats near Hartwells, off Drayton Road, are also watertight. A channel to provide services has been dug, and the top of the buildings has been decorated with wood cladding. This building replaces Ladygrove Cottage.

Foundations have been dug for another 8 flats on Drayton Road. The flats replace the Poplars, a house with stone lions on the gateposts and some vigorous pampas grass.

Alongside Twelve Acre Drive, trees were cut recently. There are two wide gaps.  

The cut trees line up with the access roads in what will become the next North Abingdon development. The development, near Peachcroft Farm, got outline planning permission in 2017 to include 371 residential dwellings, pavilions and sports pitches. More details were made public a year ago at https://www.bellway-northabingdon.co.uk/. That was followed by a detailed application REF=P22/V0680/RM a year ago, which, after discharging several conditions, was approved in February 2023. So work has begun.