Monthly Archives: November 2012

Public Meeting concerning 160 additional houses in South Abingdon

160 additional houses
At 10 am yesterday, a public meeting in the Guildhall, Abingdon, allowed people to express their views on the proposed development of 160 houses in South Abingdon.

I estimate 150-160 people were in the room. No developer representative admitted to being present and the public who spoke were all against the proposal. The central problem for most people in the room was that there is already a lack of infrastructure (roads, schools, health care) in South Abingdon without adding 160 houses more.
160 additional houses
A number of people, living in Metcalf Close, were also worried about the increased risk of flooding. They live downhill (in the picture) from the proposed field (seen in the foreground). Local people also said that the developer’s studies of the ecology of the area were inaccurate. There are lots of bats and badgers.
160 additional houses
We learned from the platform that the developers, Hallam Land Management from Sheffield,  did not hold any pre-planning talks with either the district, town  or county council, or the local MP. For such a large development that is suprising.

A local person, and a person from another town affected by Hallam, said that if not successful initially “Hallam always appeal and are often successful as there are no local plans about how to meet national housing targets.”

The chief planning officer for the district council, did not want to pre-judge the planning application, but said there should be a draft local plan by Spring 2013. That would be before any appeal is likely. At an appeal, a draft plan will be better than no plan at all but won’t have as much weight as a full plan.

Responses to the planning application should be made via http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P12/V2266/FUL .

River Thames still rising as night falls

River Thames continues to rise
The River Thames continues to rise across the floodplain opposite Abingdon, and some outposts like the Marina carpark in Abingdon are flooded.
River Thames continues to rise
There are a lot of boats moored on what is normally the bank of the River Thames, hopefully secure.
River Thames continues to rise
Near Abingdon Bridge, an Abingdon scaffolding company was helping to secure boats as night approached.
River Thames continues to rise
(Update Sunday morning. The water has risen another few inches overnight as water makes its way downsteam. People are still living on some of the boats.
River Thames continues to rise
Sunday began sunny after some overnight rain – thankfully it was less severe than forecasts were predicting.)

The River Ock is high but stabilising

River Ock high water
The River Ock is flowing higher than I have seen it for a couple of years after the recent rain.
River Ock high water
 It has covered some of the field backing onto the Ladygrove Estate in South Abingdon,
River Ock high water
The hump bridge over the River Ock at the bottom of Mill Lane is repaired and reopened but the water is too deep to walk that way to Tesco.  The environment agency said earlier at 5 am this morning “The River Ock remains high in the Stanford in the Vale and Charney Bassett areas, although water levels are currently stablising or falling in most locations along the river. No property flooding is currently expected. The weather prospects are: There is further heavy rain forecast for Saturday afternoon and Sunday will start dry with showers developing in the afternoon.”

Water usually stablilses and falls a little later in Abingdon than Charney Bassett.
River Ock high water
(Update Sunday morning. After more rain the River Ock has risen at the lower end at the junction of the River Thames. St Helen’s Mill shown in this picture was tanked (waterproofed) after previous floods. If the River Ock rises any further this will be the first real test of the tanking.)

Wind and Rain

Wind and Rain
Leaves have been gusting about on the roads in Abingdon this evening. Some blew into the porch at St Helen’s Church, where the lights were on, and the door ajar.
Wind and Rain
There has also been a lot of rain, and the new pavement beside the County Hall looks far more shiny than before.