Red Kite commented that a speculative developer has put in an Outline planning application to use land on Colwell Drive for 100 new dwellings.
The land is the site of some ex MG factory buildings, that have been reclad, and are currently used by UK Mail Ltd, and other companies, that are valued employers of local people.
That’d be a great idea. It’s not like that road clogs up with traffic already……
I suggest that people write letters of objection to stop the last part of the MG factory being erased, it would make an excellent museum and meeting point for the marque equally the building could be used as a cinema or a mixture of both.
The companies that have put in the planning application own the business park I believe, XLB Property Ltd and Rockspring UK
Badger…don’t mention the cinema…
That’s why mentioned it… lol!
Badger, you would certainly think people living near-by would especially write in and object? But looking at the application on the vales web site of the 25/30 properties opposite who have been contacted directly by planning so far only one has bothered to respond ? This is puzzling ? Is it because democracy was totally ignored ( and over-ruled) at Moreland Gardens that lethargy and “what’s the point” attitude has overtaken the will to be heard? Shame eh?
Well Captain K I am grateful to you for supplying the information. This site is directly opposite my house. Myself and my neighbours were not aware of this application. No notification has been sent to us and, I assume, that unless one trawls the planning applications regularly, then the information would never surface.
I shall certainly be writing to object and I shall inform my neighbours likewise.
I agree that this site is valuable for it’s MG connections but also for the employment situation in the current businesses located there. Added to which, the traffic situation on Colwell Drive is already a nightmare, particularly for pedestrians trying to cross the road.
Further to my comment above Captain K. I will clarify my meaning. The properties directly opposite are apartments, with no doubt a high proportion rented out. But further into the cul-de-sac there are houses with owner-occupiers. We have not been informed of the proposed development.
Does anyone who reads this blog have any direct links with the MG Car Club or MG Owners Club, if so could they draw their attention to this article and its subject, they may already know about it of course but I feel it is important that it is brought to their attention.
Ultimately I feel the preservation of this building either in its present use or those suggested give people a reason (as employees or tourists etc) to visit Abingdon and not a reason to leave every day as part of some characterless dormitory town.
Cassandra apparently I’m a sad chap with nothing better to do than trawl the cakes planning applications ! Seriously though I would urge everyone to check that site once a week, it’s very easy to use-VWHDC site, then check current planning applications, then parish etc , interesting also directly above this application is one from Fairacres requesting to knock down Homebase – Vineys – tops tiles etc and replace them with other new units,
Badger- just done that !
Re MG Car Club on Kimber Rd, one of the directors is my best friend – I’ll highlight it to him.
Ck2, Annabel – Thank you.
@10 Captainksos2. Not sad at all Captain K!!! If it had not been for your informative post I would not have known about the proposed building near my house. Your information about what is going on is, and has always been, much appreciated by me.
I see the subject was featured as a story in the Abingdon Herald here :-http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/hsabingdonnews/14823601.Warehouses_where_historic_cars_were_once_made_could_be_demolished_for_housing/#
I see the planning application has been withdrawn prior to going to a council decision?