Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework (CARF)

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River Ock - Feb 2023
The Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework (CARF) has been published to guide future town centre development. It includes options for redeveloping three sites owned by the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC): The Charter, Abbey House and The Upper Reaches.

It is called a framework and not a formal plan, but it can be used by the Local Plan to 2041 that VWHDC is beginning to consider. (The local plan to 2031 was adopted in 2016. That allowed all the new housing in North Abingdon, currently being built. The plan to 2041 will take account of the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision adopted in 2021 that aims for a more sustainable future.)

CRAF Options for those VWHDC three sites were in CARF_Final_Document_LR_Feb23.pdf

River Ock - Feb 2023
59% of people responding supported Charter and Bury Street (North) proposals. Options included the potential to redevelop the site to include restaurants, shops, new housing (including homes for the elderly), a health hub, potential employment/office space and a new and improved public library/tourist information centre to replace the existing facilities.

River Ock - Feb 2023
55% of people responding supported the proposals for Abbey House. Options included a mixed-use building with office space, residential accommodation, a hotel, a health hub and other community uses. River Ock - Feb 2023
70% of people responding supported the proposals for Upper Reaches. Options included redeveloping part of the Site to potentially provide a hotel and function space, restaurant and other leisure uses, and possibly new homes. There could also be recreational space. (Any change would be subject to the leaseholder agreeing or giving up their lease.)

The CARF also included a more general survey on central Abingdon topics.

Q5. What are the top three things you like about central Abingdon? Those with the most support (over 5%) were:
The River (frontage and access) 15%
Access to green spaces, including Abbey Meadows and playground space 15%
History / Character of Place / Aesthetic 13%
Market Place 12%
Great variety of shops and independent shops 12%
The coffee culture 7%
Great pubs and restaurants 6%
…

Q6. What are the top three things that need to change or could improve central Abingdon? Those with the most support (over 5%) were:
Better retail, food and beverage offer 25%
Address traffic volume/control 15%
Improve parking and accessibility 12%
Address empty/vacant shops 9%
Improve leisure and community facilities (incl. improving the opening hours of Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool) 8%
Better and safer cycleways and pedestrian routes 8%
…

The report and survey answers are at CARF-Consultation-Report-FINAL.pdf

It is too big to try to summarise here but I have had a go.

River Ock – February 2023

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River Ock - Feb 2023
The best time to see Muntjac deer is in the early morning when they are less likely to be disturbed. These two were in one of the extended gardens that stretch from St Amand Drive and Bailie Close towards the River Ock.
River Ock - Feb 2023
A heron was wading as I walked along the Ock Valley Walk. Its long sharp beak can spear through the water without warning.
River Ock - Feb 2023
Kingfishers can sometimes be seen flying fast and low along the River Ock. I was lucky to see this one perched halfway along the Ock Vally Walk. The blue body just showed in front of the green leaves. Like the heron, it has a long sharp beak, but in the case of the Kingfisher, that beak is half the length of its body and just as spear-like.
River Ock - Feb 2023
Robins can be heard throughout the winter at regular intervals along the Ock Valley Walk. They are singing a delightful song to humans. But to rival Robins, the territorial song says, something different.
River Ock - Feb 2023
Many grey squirrels live on the Ock Valley Walk. I remember seeing a grey squirrel in a park in Boston, North America. Grey squirrels originated in North America and were introduced to England in the late 19th century.

On the way back, the heron was swallowing a fish. The heron’s neck looks like a python. It swallows fish whole.