Plans to demolish the New Abbey Court Offices in Stert Street, together with buildings behind, and replace them with new housing, was on the agenda for last week’s meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) Planning Committee.
The original plans had drawn opposition from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, The Friends of Abingdon, and neighbours.
Updated plans, which should have addressed some of those concerns, were issued, and recommended by VWHDC planning officers. The updated plans were not liked by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, or the Friends of Abingdon, and withdrawn from the VWHDC agenda at the last minute.
New Abbey Court Offices looks a nice building – how old is it? Has a bit of character.
Yes, cram Abingdon with lots of housing and disregard the problems we have with traffic. The Vale gives planning permission for housing in Abingdon even though they know that this will make the traffic problems worse. I had to queue in traffic for a long time when the A34 was closed to get out of South Abingdon. The traffic was the entire length of the Drayton Road. In my opinion the public enquiry about the 170 new houses in South Abingdon was a done deal. Decisions are made by people who do not live in Abingdon and do not have to deal day to day with ever increasing traffic problems.
Yes I’m in the South too, and when there’s a traffic problem we get marooned. But of course, they’re moving the Ock St crossing that they ‘know’ will help with the Drayton Road traffic. Laughable!
With the additional 170 houses (with a possible 2 car/household), I think this could just possibly add to killing what’s left of our town centre dead as, other than the locals, who would want to come and battle with the traffic from outside town?
Houdini – I agree – not a very old building, but good-looking and in character with the rest. Would be sad to see such a pretty piece of the street go.