Surrounding Area Lovely

Surrounding Area Lovely
The boarded up Upper Reaches hotel was in the Abingdon Herald again last week, lamenting the continuing loss of a great place for people to stay. The surrounding area is lovely, and  with the right people in charge it would work.

Surrounding Area Lovely
Meanwhile a Hilton Hotel is expanding in Abingdon next to the A34.

11 thoughts on “Surrounding Area Lovely

  1. ppjs

    A Hilton Courtyard Hotel, I think. Somewhat different from a traditional Hilton. It’s a shame that Hilton couldn’t develop the Upper Reaches. I wonder whether vehicular access is seen as a problem on that site.

    Reply
  2. Hester

    The Upper Reaches lease is still held by Contemporary Hotels Ltd, a subsidiary of the Caparo organisation – they have not tried to get out of it so it has not been made available to any other developer. We believe that they want to re-open as a hotel, but in conjunction with some housing (not sure what type, or how many, but pretty sure they wouldn’t be “affordable”!). The area is part of the Conservation area, and not designated for housing in the Local Plan so, thankfully, the District Council are not keen to approve it. I hope that the stalemate is resolved soon, though – or at least that something is done to improve the appearance of the area.

    Reply
  3. Abby Don

    I’m sure the new Hotel will add a little extra trade to some local restaurants and pubs, but I see it will be 150 rooms, needing 150 parking spaces. Are there that many spaces there already, I don’t recall that Hotel having loads of parking.

    Reply
  4. newcomer

    As far as the Upper Reaches site is concerned I think that if the various planning people involved in these things have learned anything from The Old Gaol fiasco it’s that there should be transparency in all dealings on this occasion.

    If this site is not used for the more general benefit of The Town and gifted to developers for expensive housing then I don’t think forgiveness will be in over abundant supply.

    Reply
  5. ElPadrino

    The Upper Reaches site is blighted by its location! It lacks an attractive river frontage, has few architecturally attractive features to retain and has limited car parking. The site is not big enough or has enough potential for a comprehensive hotel redevelopment without spoiling the Abbey buildings environs. A Boutique-style Hotel occupying the site, with only turning circle/drop off access, and with sufficient dedicated car parking for hotel residents at Rye Farm might facilitate development opportunities. But that might require a cross-district council arrangement and objectivity from our planners. Not holding my breath!

    Reply
  6. Colinb

    Abby Don, Not as many as 150 spaces. Will the gym be an open membership, or only to guests?. Suspect won’t be long until they put pay and display machines. All the four pillars offer the same, services. are charging to park.

    Reply
  7. Daniel

    My goodness Badger; and these people are ‘in charge’…

    Quick, distract, distract, distract…someone mention the flowers…

    Reply
  8. Badger

    A most inappropriate use of funds, that’s £X thousands less to spend on the flowers unless as some have suggested he digs deep and pays it himself, the choices are clear/simple that or resignation.

    Reply
  9. Horsesmouth

    Like most authoritatives the VWHDC has in place vehicles to control and make transparent its elected members, the remuneration panel decides on councillors remuneration and expenses and there is a conduct panel that presides on just that, both panels are volunteers from the public.
    If anyone believes a councillor has breached his code of conduct then a simple request to Mark Stone, the C E O of the VWHDC for the conduct panel to conduct an enquiry into the issue where if they find councillor guilty of a serious breach he can be removed from office !

    Reply

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