The draft local plan for the Vale of White Horse District until 2029 will be on view tomorrow (Tue 12 March, 12-7pm, Abbey Shopping Centre). There is also a chance to see an unmanned version of the plan at the Guildhall, or on the Vale’s website.
Most of the new houses will be in Wantage, Grove, Faringdon, and particularly Harwell. No major new developments are anticipated in Abingdon before 2029 because there is “significant existing highway congestion within the sub-area” and “Abingdon on Thames has experienced sustained growth over the last few decades.”
As to the proposed 160 houses in a field to the the South of Abingdon, they would not be allowed by the draft plan because of traffic. But as there is no saying what the planning appeals inspector might decide leaflets are going round South Abingdon saying you have until 15th March to make comments to the Planning Inspector.
As to the newer proposal for 60 houses in a field north of Abingdon (bottom end of Radley Road and bordering the Peachcroft Estate), that area is not mentioned in the plan either.
In the longer term it is admitted that Abingdon has to be allowed to grow or be left behind. So the plan says “The least constrained areas of undeveloped land lie to the south of the town. However, strategic housing growth could only be sustainably accommodated alongside the development of a town centre bypass which would need to be appropriately funded.”
There is little prospect of money to fund such a bypass even with developer funding, and so a track of land is secured for a future generation if they have means to build a bridge and road. The track runs from near Culham, across the River Thames, then between rugby pitches and sewage works, crosses the Drayton Road near Oday Hill, before heading round across the flood plain to Tesco.
I went out to Bicester Garden Centre on Sunday. There is a massive new estate planned for the outskirts of Bicester. However, they have built a new road and roundabout allowing easy access from the estate to the M40 and A34. The traffic from the estate does not have to pass through Bicester. To build houses in South Abingdon with the existing roads would be madness and lead to South Abingdon being cut off during peak times.
Some people have been finding it difficult putting comments on the planning inspectorate portal. The secret is just to put in the number 2191911 missing out all the letters – but it is made very easy if you just click on the link to planning inspector on this blog – the form comes up immediately – thank you blogmaster for making it so much simpler !
There’s traffic monitoring at the crossing by the Ock St double roundabouts and the cameras are up on Drayton Rd facing the roundabouts too.
Anyone know what this is for – is it for “this” development and Hallams?
This afternoon around 3.30, about half dozen high vis jacketed bods, some with clipboards.Heavy traffic both directions Marcham Road, and over the Drayton Road bridge.
Yet another trafic survey?
Daniel,
Trafic survey is being carried out by County Council after requests from Neil Fawcett amongst others. We need an up to date survey in order to present up to date evidence at the appeal by hallams against the plans to build 160 houses on land east of the Drayton Rd.
Many thanks Trevor, I hope the survey shows the very real dire nature of the traffic here and helps with the argument against the development.
OCC are conducting a traffic survey over the next three days, starting today, Tuesday. I doubt that it was OCC doing the survey last week !
Interesting to see significant changes in the newly published plan to 2031 – http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Local%20Plan%20housing%20delivery%20update%202014.pdf
610 houses now proposed to the North of Abingdon on both sides of Tilsley Park (provision of “noise mitigation from the A34” will indeed be required for many of those houses!).