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.