There is a trend to built houses in the town centre, whereas up to ten years ago new houses were built on the outskirts. One new tc development seem to merge into another, and so it must be difficult to create a strong identity, but they try with their colourful showrooms and banners.

I have pictures from two current developments: Marchants Place is between Waitrose and the Vineyard, and the Riverside collection looks as though it will have a good view over the recently restored victorian lake in the Abbey Grounds, and over the mill stream. This lake was paid for by you and me, the council tax payers, and all those kind people who do the national lottery.

One advantage of more houses near the centre is that people can more easily use the shops and restaurants, which is good for the vitality of the town. One will have to wait and see how it plays out over the next twenty years.

There are few town centre plots of land available for any building purpose now – not many more old factory sites left in the town. This process started a long time ago when the Abingdon Carpet factory became the Upper Reaches Hotel, so nothing is new. But a good mix is necessary to create a sustainable community. The final picture is the lake on a misty morning – the only way in future to see “The Victorian Lake” without “The Riverside Collection.”