Part of the Dalton Barracks site (in the red area) was chosen for development as part of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan (to 2031). The development will include 1,200 homes as well as a primary school and a local centre and will use Garden Village principles (good design and quality development).

The VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District) are creating a supplementary planning document (SPD) for the site. This with the local plan will be used when considering planning applications at the site.

They want people’s views. You can read the draft SPD for the site and then comment using a survey. It can all be found at https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/vale-of-white-horse-district-council/planning-and-development/local-plan-and-planning-policies/supplementary-planning-documents/dalton-barracks-supplementary-planning-document/.

The consultation runs to Thursday 18 November.

The tree in the Old Gaol grounds is glowing.

I entered the riverside path from the Bridge Street entrance, and took a picture of Abingdon Bridge with the leaves of the tree round me.

I also took a picture of The Old Gaol Dental Surgery.

The Vale of White Horse District Council recently allowed the application for unit 5B to become a dental clinic rather than a restaurant.

Abingdon Town Council had recommend refusal. They said The original approval for the Old Gaol development was on the basis of a mixed use development including an A3 restaurant in Unit 5B. The mixed use is important to enable visitors continued access to this part of the Old Gaol site. 

A neighbour said the proposal is preferable to a restaurant. Would like to ensure adequate noise insulation.

Friends of Abingdon said the proposed change of use … raises privacy issues for patients …. Concerned that the proximity of Treatment Room 1 to the riverside path could result in pressure to close the Bridge Street entrance to the gardens.

P.S

In reply to newcomer’s comment, from Brian. I would like to add the photo above taken 24/07/2007 with the caption – ‘we had one, the developer removed it, the planners conditioned it to be replaced !!!’

The Tesco Garden Centre closed in September 2011 and has been boarded up for the last eight years.

There is now a planning application to turn in into an 86 bedroom hotel with associated parking, infrastructure and landscaping.

It will be located close to the Hilton Garden Hotel and Premier Inn just off the A34 Marcham Interchange, and within easy reach of Oxford, and Abingdon, and a number of important business and science parks.

The design is not going to win any architecture awards for Abingdon. Traffic and flooding could be issues.

There is a new website called northabingdon.co.uk/.

On it is the announcement of an exhibition at the Northcourt Centre on Thursday 28th February from 3:30pm – 8pm showing more detailed plans for the first 425 homes of the 900 that have got outline planning permission. The three ‘parcels’ are those nearest Tilsley Park.

The developers will probably be looking for feedback from the locals attending the exhibition before submitting their final plans.

The other thing this housing will help finance is the Lodge Hill Interchange, but those plans still need to be agreed with the Highway Agency. The 900 home development includes a mixed-use local centre, retirement apartments, care home, primary school and public open space.