Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) and South Oxfordshire District Council have teamed up to create a Joint Local Plan to guide future development in both districts until 2041.
There aren’t any major changes to the development plans for Abingdon compared to the 2031 plan. However, changes are happening nearby at Dalton Barracks. The Ministry of Defence is moving out by 2029, and the plan is to develop the vacant barracks area.
Instead of the 1,200 homes originally planned until 2031, the new proposal is for 2,750 until 2041. The development area will include extra land from the Green Belt, creating a larger area (52 hectares compared to 30 hectares). This is intended to be a Garden Village-style development with a school, local shops, good transport links, and plenty of green space. There is nothing planned for the top of the airfield.
The proposal can be viewed online at https://jlp.southandvale.gov.uk/. (Chapter 8 and AS10 has Dalton Barracks.) A printed copy is also available at Abingdon Library.
There is a drop in event in Shippon at Shippon Church Hall on 24th January between 3pm and 8pm. VWHDC will be there to answer questions and explain the plans in more detail.
The drop in event in Abingdon will be at Pablos on 3rd February.
The joint plan is far more than just building development. In Chapter 9 on town centres, the preferred option is for Didcot to be the principal town centre across both districts, with Abingdon-on-Thames, Faringdon, Henley-on-Thames, Thame, Wallingford, and Wantage within a second town centre tier.
It is really important that people look at this and make their views known. The Plan will include Strategic Sites for development and once those are approved it is very difficult to object later when the actual planning applications come in. Similarly it will set out principles and criteria against which proposals for the next 15 years or so will be assessed.
I agree with Hester. I would add to her comments and say make your views known directly to the Vale; if you don’t then please do not moan about it!
I am not sure that this sentiment holds.
I agree with you. Most people do not engage with the council, using all the usual excuses – the council take no notice, we need to drain the swamp , they are all establishment , etc. But they love a good old moan!! And they will always say – I did not hear about it/it was never advertised etc.and it is a waste of time.
Not everyone reads the Abingdon Blog…it would be helpful if these things were made public
Yes, publicity is always a challenge. Different people get their information via different routes, It was in the local paper a couple of weeks ago and has been all over Facebook.
I have Facebook and not seen it…never buy local papers!
How else would you suggest it’s made public? If you’re on any of the Abingdon fb pages it’s been across them, plus Oxford Mail and Abingdon Herald both physical and online. Also on VWHDC website. Maybe the town crier should call it from the market place!!
Rudeness and sarcasm is totally unnecessary!!!
Sorry if it’s touched a nerve, but your claim that it hasn’t been publicised is just so untrue. It’s everywhere, including all the public consultations around the area. If you choose not to read local papers, on or off line, or engage with public social media the you may not see it.
It did not touch a nerve…nothing excuses your rudeness!!
What is a local paper? Young people get their news fro. TikTok
Good point – I have no idea where the Vale publicise things, was just commenting on where I personally had seen it. Why not contact the Vale (direct or via your Councillor) and suggest routes you think would be good ones for them to use?
My husband and myself have contacted the Vale and the council on occasions…sadly..no reply to either!!
News from TikTok? That’s why those youngsters are so ill-informed!
It’s also why council meetings are only largely attended by certain demographic (generally with grey hair!). Adapt to the changing times or risk loosing engagement from the under 35’s
Ah … but then you have ‘commercial confidentiality’, which is that hurdle that both contractors and councils just love as they can hide their mistakes. Just think how less harm Horizon would have done had Fujitzu and the Post Office been forced to ‘fess up when they obfuscated about the extent of their problems with Horizon. Information and the casting of light on a situation is anathema to those who benefit from working in obscurity.
I visited the Vale Exhibition at the Pablo Lounge this morning. A tiny space was devoted to the exhibition in a hot and noisy cafe. I have been to and organised many public consultation events and this was the most inappropriate Exhibition venue I have ever visited . The Vale should should have another Exhibition in a more spacious venue, like The Guildhall.