Planning Inspector begins his Stage 2 look at the new Local Plan

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The Planning Inspector has started his Stage 2 hearings regarding the – Vale of White Horse District Council – Local Plan to 2031. The hearings started today (Tuesday 2) and carry on till Friday 19 February.

Sessions most likely of interest are:
Wednesday 3: Green Belt
Thursday 4: Strategy for Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub Area
Tuesday 16: Five-Year supply of housing land
Thursday 18: Supporting infrastructure and services

The hearings are at the Beacon in Wantage, starting at 10.00 each day. Anyone can go and observe, but only those pre-registered can speak. There are a lot of written submissions already.
Planning Inspector
For example Carter Jonas for Commercial Estates Group want to develop the area north of Abingdon with 800 houses and a primary school. They have a long documents why this development is ‘soundly based and deliverable‘.
Planning Inspector
The North Abingdon Local Plan Group are against this development for reasons of traffic congestion and air pollution.

More information at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/new-local-plan-2031/vale-white-horse-local

Thanks to Hester for letting us know.

Very Good of Sir Terry Wogan to visit Abingdon Twice to see friends

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Sir Terry Wogan
There was a large queue outside the Bookstore when Terry Wogan came in November 2009 to sign his autobiographical book ‘Where was I?!”
Sir Terry Wogan
I heard him say on BBC 2 National Radio beforehand “look forward to seeing you at Abingdon. I will be at the Abingdon Bookstore at around 12:30 this afternoon and remember … it is the rare unsigned ones that raise all the money but anyway I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends there.”
Sir Terry Wogan
He was back 5 year later in November 2014 to sign copies of his book “The Little Book of Common Sense: Or Pause for Thought with Wogan”.
Sir Terry Wogan
It was Very Good of him to visit Abingdon twice, and to support his friends at the Bookstore and meet lots of his Old Friends who knew him through the BBC Radio 2 Radio morning show.

Thanks to Malvin for the first two pictures.

Here We Come A-wassailing in Caldecott

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Wassail
Next to the Local Excellence Market, this morning, campaigners, intent on saving the Oxfordshire Children;s Centres from closure, were asking people to pledge not to vote for ANY County Councillor who votes for the closure of the Childrens Centres in next week’s budget meeting.
Wassail
At South Abingdon Children’s Centre this afternoon there was a Wassail. It was the second year this event has taken place.
Wassail
The children;s centre was open for activities and free refreshments. It often acts as a Community Centre as well as a Children’s Centre.
Wassail
Outside in the grounds of Caldecott School there was dancing by the Vale Islanders and Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers.
Wassail
Mulled apple juice was heating on an open fire in the forest school area.
Wassail
and down in the orchard area a traditional wassail poem was recited to the apple trees.
Wassail
Trees were festooned with ribbons and hung with toast for the birds to feed on. Then everybody made a loud noise to awaken new life in the trees.
Wassail
The loudest noise came from the Vale Islanders who have obtained a couple of muskets.