The Peachcroft Field Action Group have won the first round. The Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) has refused Radley College permission to build 55 houses on land designated as Greenbelt.
According to the VWHDC decision the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) only allows development on Greenbelt for:
• buildings for agriculture and forestry;
• provision of outdoor sport/recreation and for cemeteries
• extension or alteration to a building
• replacement buildings
• limited infilling in villages
• redevelopment of previously developed land.
The development does not seem to meet any of those criteria but, not being an expert, I have no idea whether Radley College will have grounds for appeal.
Haven’t Radley College got enough land – I was there at the weekend and was marvelling at the mass of land, wealth and beautiful grounds etc they have.
Yes but they are still eager to add more funds to their coffers. Selling to developers to ‘cram’ in 55 homes.
Pity they cannot leave it for outdoor sport/recreational purposes.
Pity, especially as they are a charity. That’s all I’m saying!
The South Abingdon group won the first round, but still the development will be build, so don’t get complacent. If you don’t think the development is a good idea then stand up and be heard.
Hope all works out 🙂
Now Radley College do the right thing and leave a green space for your neighbours.
With regards to increasing housing within the Abingdon area I think this site is quite suited to strategic development ( I have no idea whether this site is suited to as many as 55 house’s though as I have not seen full details). However it is an area with few transport difficulties. It will be local to numerous schools but will still maintain a strategic gap between Abingdon and Radley. I view it as more sensible option to the housing crisis than the new development approved for Drayton road.
In reply to theabingdonian we would like to say that this site might be local to numerous schools but none of these primary schools have any spare places. Building houses on this field would create more problems for Drayton Road, as parents would have to take their children to schools in south Abingdon where there are spare school places. The field is green belt land and Radley College signed two agreements that they would keep the field as an open space between Radley and Abingdon. It is already a narrow gap between the two communities and we do not want to see it narrower.