Kings Gate, Abingdon


Signs have gone up on the Dunmore Road housing development to show that the development is called Kings Gate. The last major development in Abingdon, Morland Gardens, had a Kings Street. King is a word that major developers must like.

Scott sent me this marketing link https://www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/oxfordshire/h778701-kings-gate/ about the development. It will include a variety of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes and be built by David Wilson Homes, a subsidiary of Barratt Developments.

There have been reports in the Abingdon Herald / Oxford Mail about the developer wanting to change the planning condition that stipulates that the ‘associated highway works, (including vehicle access, a footway/cycleway and pedestrian crossing facilities) shall be provided prior to the first occupation of any dwelling’. The developer would now prefer 30 dwellings to be occupied before the completion of the works, in order to assist with the delivery of the development. I can see that the Friends of Abingdon, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, and Oxfordshire County Council Highways have put in responses saying the stipulation was put in on grounds of traffic safety. The planning application P20/V2777/FUL has the details and all the responses.

Free parking days announced. Shops can reopen from December 2nd. Oxfordshire in Tier 2


The Vale of White Horse District Council are urging us to support local traders as they confirm the free parking days in the run up to Christmas. In Abingdon they will be the Saturdays (5, 12, 19 December) .

December 5th is also Small Business Saturday.

People were volunteering in one the charity shops today, decorating the window and getting the shop ready to open. Such shops will be permitted to reopen from Wednesday at 1am.

The rest of the winter will be uncertain for traders. There could be further closures.

Oxfordshire will be in the new tier 2 …

New Bells outside St Nicolas Church in Abingdon


Two bells have appeared on the pavement outside St Nicolas Church. They are cemented in to the pavement and are not designed to ring.

They are there for pedestrian safety. ‘Bell Bollards‘ are shaped to ensure that vehicles, however big, mounting the pavement will be deflected back onto the road. They will also ensure delivery lorries do not stop on this part of the pavement.

Town Crier magazine (Winter 2020 – 60th Edition) and town notice boards


Congratulations to the Town Crier magazine on reaching their 60th Edition. It dropped onto our doormat three days ago and has some interesting local news, and a very short What’s on section saying ‘ depending on government guidelines events may differ from those normally taking place at this time of year. You are advised to check the Abingdon Town Council website for the latest information on events.’

Spring Road Cemetery now has sheep grazing and they look to be an interesting and inquisitive breed.

The magazine also has three pages dedicated to organizations that are helping during the Pandemic:
* Vale of White Horse Community Hub (01235 422600)
* Abingdon Coronavirus Community Response
* AbiMeds
* Abingdon Community Fridge
* Abingdon Food Bank
* Abingdon Good Neighbour Scheme
* Citizens Advice Abingdon
* Oxfordshire Mind
* Age UK Oxfordshire
* The Abingdon Bridge
* Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services

The Town Council has erected two new notice boards, one in front of their Roysse Court Offices

and the other, with two sides, on Bath Street.