In the field adjoining the one with the deer shown yesterday, plans for the development of 160 dwellings were received by our district council (VWHDC) two weeks ago. Residents in Virginia Way and Lucca Drive should soon be notified as they are affected directly.
During the public consultation the developers heard complaints about the effect of extra traffic on the already congested Drayton Road, and Ock Street; the effect on flooding, and wildlife.
Responses to the planning application should be made by 28th November via http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P12/V2266/FUL where you can also read the traffic survey, bat survey, tree survey etc. etc.
The developers do argue that since VWHDC has no properly agreed local housing plan to meet government targets then the national objective to boost provision for housing (called National Planning Policy Framework) should take precedence.
I guess the VWHDC have been caught with their pants round their ankles and the poor sods who’ve got to commute along the Drayton Road may have to pay and then keep paying with their time for the council’s incompetence. Plans received two weeks ago and those directly affected not yet notified … who’s been asleep at the wheel?
I hope someone with more experience and contacts than I can get an anti-momentum bandwagon going and stop these carpetbaggers.
The nightmare for Abingdon is commuters struggling to get out of the Gaol development onto Bridge Street and the Drayton Road becoming a car park.
We’ll become a holiday town … no one will be able to go to work.
In addition, I’d like to point out that it’s really difficult to leave a comment on our ‘democratic’ council site … you know … those cuddly people who have our interests at heart.
the houses that back onto the field are built on a …. field!
so they can’t really complain as long as it’s not greenfield.
what’s good for the goose…..
The issue here is traffic. At the consultation the developers held they wheeled in a traffic consultant who suggested there would be no impact which is clearly rubbish.
In order to alleviate the traffic congestion on Drayton road they would need to build a secon d southern river crossing which would cost c£20m. A development of this size is very unlikely to have this sort of cash available and this is certainly not in the plans they’ve shared.
OCC surveys have already said that traffic on Drayton road is above its capacity at rush hour, which should be grounds to oppose the development. I’d encourage people to express their views on the planning site following the link in Backstreeters article.
The opening of the Steventon A34 on slip could alleviate some of the Drayton Road traffic.
According to their plans moving the pelican crossing to the west of the Drayton road junction with ock street is going to solve all the problems!
Their estimate of pm wait time for anyone coming down spring road is 25 minutes if I’ve read their table correctly (it lacks a key).
I attempted to read some of the planning documents last night – Yawn
Traffic Survey done on 6th Sept when not all the schools were back
Of 360 odd parking places only 113 car movements during the AM peak envisaged
Preston Road Junction operating at 90% capacity – requires
a change to the timing of lights to improve that
Mill Road Roundabout working well within capacity.
More buses required.
Turn the lay-bys at Oday Hill into Bus stops, with a
pedestrian crossing.
Guess that means extending the 30 limit and extending Street Lighting along the Drayton road – at who’s expense ?
New Traffic Lights to serve the junction of the estate with Drayton Road.
They will provide subsidised cycle purchases and have a travel co-ordinator to advise and plan journeys.
Electricity and Water services will be tapped into in
Coramandel and Virginia Way – could not see any mention of sewage
The whole bone of contention is the traffic along the Drayton Road. The developers (not living in the area) really did not grasp the implications of the extra traffic. It would be no more dangerous but the extra traffic would cause an absolute nightmare of a jam travelling to the Ock Street roundabout. Do small towns like Abingdon really have to have more large housing estates which cause traffic jams to small local roads? I am very cynical about public consultation excercises. Profit is the master and issues such as traffic and amenities are just paid lip service to and not really considered in the long run.
I went to the proposal presentation recently and was gobsmacked that the developers were allowed to submit ‘analysis’ that was so optimistic. The submissions should be thrown out and the developers asked to submit more realistic/ real world analysis. The Vale should already being doing this…
I agree that the consequences of the Old Gaol housing together with yet more housing in Thames View are not being considered as a package.
The traffic got worse when then ABITS road system happened, with traffic only reducing because people stay away. More traffic equals less visitors equals yet another excuse for the Vale to convert our remaining commercial premises to housing. Is this the real objective?
Have to agree with Janet. Profit is what is driving this, with no thought being given to the people already living in the area. The traffic situation is already appalling and will only get worse as 160 houses are likely to mean about an extra 300 cars.
The town is dying a slow death because nobody wants to visit a town with major traffic problems and it’s no longer the nice little market town it once was. It’s grown beyond recognition, and the new developments don’t seem to fit in with the old town image. A classic example is the woeful white square house built on Norman avenue!
Would someone on VWHDC PLEASE sort out the comment facility on the http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support site. It doesn’t appear to be functioning, or is that the intention?
I am sick of this town keep your developing and overcrowding and traffic jams . i will be closing my shop before Christmas too much for rates in a town which is not dying it is already dead . You think big stores are coming to Abingdon think again they will be more 99p stores or tesco express . You will get more flooding as there will be more concrete and more soakways and more drives causing more floods . Forget you big name stores in town try getting a bowling alley or a cinema or a theatre more shops are no good we got shops clothes coffee crafts 99p etc .
I forgot to add shove your council and new shops and new houses up your a**e you peasants
Well said shop owner. The Vale council need to make a stand on this and demonstrate they want the best for our town. If they are are not careful Abingdon will become a housing estate the size of Banbury but with the heart of a small village.
PS Don’t forget the diamond interchange at Lodge Hill. Any counsellor that publically campaigns for that will re-elected easily.
We got rid of the cinema we built houses we got rid of the a leisure centre (old goal ) we built houses , we got rid of pubs (red lion , horse and jockey , air balloon , the crown , we built more houses , we got rid of a brewery and built more houses , we got rid of the pavolova and mg site more houses , we got rid of teasdale school more houses , beadles hardware store gone more houses , do you see a pattern you overpaid thoughtless council planning morons . We have took away things the town needs and added 1000s houses where people have to travel to other towns for entertainment and goods . There should be laws brought in if you build over 100 houses you must provide something for the town or is it just brown envelopes you prefer for your greedy selves . The old goal should have been a leisure complex theatre , cinema , restaurants , or another car park . The people in this town pay 1000s in council tax for WHAT what does the town provide nothing all we get is pot holes and for christmas S**T lights and a s**tty tree
To get an anti momentum going, share this on facebook and twitter.
Knock st helens church down you might get another 60 houses there while your at it
I’ve got sympathy for you, shop owner. We could die waiting for the invisible leadership of the VWHDC to come up with a sensible town development plan (which they don’t have). They are so clueless it must be like stealing candy from a baby. These developers come along and just take what they want. We might not be able to say things for fear of retribution, but no one can tell us what to think.
A plague on all your houses isn’t the nicest thing to say Shop Owner, especially when hiding behind a pseudonym.
Are the residents of Abingdon pro anything? A better precinct – no, more homes – no, Jubilee celebrations – no the Fair – no.
The only thing anyone has been happy about lately is a pub re-opening but I doubt that the Wetherspoons will be greeted with such joy.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: get out into the green spaces in town, kick some leaves around and look at the beauty around you. We are just speckles in the universe and things are not so bad.
Rachael when you pay the rates and rent like i do for a shop that can not even earn enough to pay the electric bill you would moan . Have you seen the amount of shops closed for the same reason
Maybe any facebook and Twitter campaigns should be on what confidence we have in the VOWHDC to put the best interests of Abingdon residents at the core of their decision making. ??????
I do run a business and I do pay rent on business premises and council tax on my home so please don’t make assumptions. Times are hard but we keep looking for new ways to earn income some of which are working and others which aren’t.
I don’t know what help you have sought from whom but I hope you have sought help from as many organisation as you can. Business Link is a good place to start as is your bank and Fredericks.
I am not joking when I say that it is important to try to find something to smile about at least once a day to protect at least a little bit of your mental health.
See also https://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/?p=7502
I agree with you Rachel, our green spaces are magnificent. Albert Park on on workday is a haven of peace and tranquility. Let’s protect what we have before they steal that from us too!
Rachel money is good for my mental health i would love to go on walks and to the park but i am too busy with trying to keep my business alive .
Hang in there shop owner the town is having major works carried out but once it is done hopefully trade will pick up .
Email to VoWHDC re. ambiguities in Traffic Report:
Sir, Madam
With reference to Planning request P12/V2266/FUL – Land East of Drayton Road, Abingdon Transport Assessment Dated 18 October 2012
In order that those directly or potentially affected by the proposed development are able to have a clear understanding and therefore able to informatively respond, it is imperative that all the terminology and acronyms contained in the Transport Assessment report are explained and published in full and clear language. In the interest of fair openness and clarity this must receive similar prominence to the report itself.
I anticipate that this communication will be passed to the relevant department and thereafter acknowledged as having been received with details of proposed action. I further suggest that the application procedure, including deadline for objection, be extended to fully accommodate potential comment in light of this required information.
Sincerely
T Davies
Well said Rachel
Though a tad patronizing, Iain
Right, where to begin….
Firstly, i agree that the housing is a bad idea, it’s not needed and will cause to many traffic problems, unless the council has a solution to those it’s a no no. that’s the on topic commenting done
Shop Owner; the cinema closed in the early 90’s and other then bingo sat vacant for 10 years, it was outdated and needed to be demolished, granted it could of been replaced with a cinema, but it wasn’t maybe 20 years after it closed it’s time to get over it.
The old gaol again was outdated and defunct, it was replaced with another leisure centre,
The pubs wouldn’t of closed if there was a custom for them. same with the shops you mentioned. MG closed over 30 years ago, as did the pavlova. and i believe most of the site sat empty for 20 years before they built housing on it, Again, maybe if there was a better use for it, someone may of found it in that time, the brewery was closed by greene king, as far as i’m aware nothing you’ve mentioned was closed by this mysterious “We”. they closed because they were either old and outdated or weren’t needed.
Abingdon is a lovely town, once the precinct is redeveloped we wont have a eyesore at the centre of it, things will pick up, there are 35,000 people in this town, they have to shop/eat/drink somewhere, lets stop the negative and make that place Abingdon
By the time the refurbished precinct reopens, how many more closed shops will there be throughout Abingdon?.
I won’t take any bets that at the next round of Rate Rises, costs will not go down, but increase.
How much money was wasted on the last repave?, so far I see that the small paving slabs, being replaced with small ‘granite’ blocks in some areas. (Similar to Market Square and its Basalt blocks).
Although reports that all licences have been granted, the old Post Office looks worse every day, are they waiting for ALL the windows to be smashed before ‘renovation’ takes place, will it change to a partial demolition/dismantling of the building?.
James, just to say thank you for putting a little perspective into the debate. Personally I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else and we should be grateful for all the positive things this town has to offer compared with many other towns. Vibrant market place with regular activities, lovely parks, river walks, good restaurants, good pubs, good schools . . . . . etc etc
I love living in Abingdon and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but have to agree that the traffic and shops let Abingdon down a bit. The town centre is getting an overhaul so let’s see if new shops come to town, we may get a 99p shop but then we may get Next or M&S, a butchers or a range of new shops like ybuynu. The traffic needs looking at and there are options but like most things need money spending on them, things like a new river crossing or on off ramps onto the A34. Maybe we need to look at other traffic options, how about being able to turn down Bath Street from Stratton Way going south, traffic can then flow down the Faringdon rd, Wootton Rd, Northcourt etc and not down Ock Street. Then make Ock Street 3 lanes (it is wide enough I checked if you take some of the massive pavements away) one goes into town from the 2 roundabouts, one goes left onto the Drayton rd and the other onwards past the police station. Take the pavements away from the bridge from the Drayton Rd to town and make it 3 lanes (yes wide enough) 1 lane goes left out of town to release the build up of traffic, you then build a new pedestrian bridge next to it.
These are just the ramblings of someone caught in the traffic jams but these are cheaper options that are feasible
I am sure there are other options
Oh and one more
Put a traffic light system from West St Helen/East St Helen junction and the Iron Bridge at the bottom of Caldecott Road and make the bridge 2 way, now no need to drive all the way round Abingdon
Coggin Thank you for your comment about our shop . We must all stay positive there are changes being made for the better but with all change comes disruption and inconvenience . We are also finding it hard a lot harder than we thought but we will do our best during these hard times . The town holds many great memories for me Cinema , zodiac toy shop , poppies tea room , woolworths my parents owned a shop in town also when i was growing up . The road works and building work is disturbing our sales but i hope once it is over the improvements made will improve Abingdon for everyone .
Golly coggin, I admire you optimism. Some interesting sounding ideas…but they all rest on the assumption that ‘someone, somewhere’ is tasked or even interested with considering solutions for the traffic in town. The same department who has let the failed AbITS system continue no doubt!? (Wasn’t failed AbITS supposed to include a second river crossing?)
From the meetings (for the county transport plan and Abingdon’s next 30 years) that I’ve been to the best ‘solution’ to the traffic issues is to get all those people in their cars who are clogging up Ock street, High street, St Helens streets etc etc…is to get them on buses or bicycles. Yes, I know….ludicrous isn’t it…but that’s the best they’ve come up with!
One thing we can be sure of though; it’s all the “Blue Teams” fault. If the “Yellow Team” we’re in charge, this mess would never be happening…..
Oh… Hold on……….
Can we return to the subject of getting rid of these carpetbaggers?
carpetbaggers!? – so you only want houses built in abingdon by (a) an abingdon based house building company or (b) someone who likes building houses at zero profit…. ?
but not an outside company that wants to buy some land, build some houses and sell them at a respectable profit.
Jackson: If what you have said about the solutions proposed to our traffic problems is true, then there seems to be a lack of joined up thinking at a council level.
It does not encourage the use of either bicycles or public transport when the Vale council tax payer massively subsidises car parking in the town centre.
Don’t get me wrong – I park for nothing in the town centre nowadays, and sometimes take my car in when once I would have cycled or walked in, and i say a silent thank you to the Vale taxpayer when I do so. So I am just pointing out that the policy does nothing to alleviate traffic congestion in the town, whatever other benefits there may or may not be.
I remember that once the “free” parking policy was being heralded as the solution to all the shopkeepers’ worries. From earlier posts in this thread I wonder how much impact it has actually had on spending in the town? How much bang for the buck?
That’s it then, RUDI is one of the carpetbaggers.
Love reading all the comments! Coggin – the iron bridge used to be two-way, but residents in East and West St Helen’s lobbied successfully for the one-way system and if they had their way, would again stop/change the access.
I notice the builders who have submitted the plans for dwellings in the Drayton Road, have deferred to local worries about increased traffic into Abingdon and generously reduced the proposed build from 170 to 160 leaving a nice ‘green’ area in one corner. Er..actually….isn’t that the area that consistantly floods?
newcomer – you still haven’t explained your definition of carpetbagger – or was i correct?
Did anyone else see the plan concerning ‘Planning applications on map’ on VWHDC web site. It was dated 3/9/2012 and was appertaining to the field behind the proposed development site, which runs behind the Virginia Way bungalows up to the end of Overmead. I have a copy of this plan, but can no longer find it on the web site. I am very concerned that, if this development did go ahead, it will only be a matter of time before this field, which I believe is council owned, becomes a vast council housing estate. This field is in the flood plain and has flooded on several occasions over the last 12 years, making the thought of development here a terrifying prospect.
I have tried, without success, to find out more about this plan. I don’t know how to attach a copy to this comment, or I would have done so.
Can things get any worse !!!!?
As a resident by the proposed build I wasnt even aware of this proposal was this deliberate? I havent seen any notices put up to alert me. I cannot believe the audacity of this development, the total impact to not only local infrastructure but the environment will be unacceptable what has happened to the protection of the green belt.Doesnt the council own this site?
Traffic, this road with the potential of at least another 160 cars, is just so unacceptable, unless Oxfordshire County Council are proposing a massive transport infrastructure then this development will be intollerable for others in the immediate vacinity. The Drayton Road Slip would have to be compulsory and a bridge over the Thames to Culham side also compulsory. Traffic struggling to get to the areas of Employment both Culham and A34 struggle currently
its a Saturday as I write this comment, the Drayton road is at a standstill beyond Preston Road through to Ock street most trying to get to the A34. Oxfordshire county council Highways are struggling to maintain the existing Drayton Road with its usage and its subsidary Roads ie Preston Road which is used as a Rat run into Abingdon Town Centre.Have OCC new monies to provide the required road build.it can take over 30 mins from Preston Road to Ock street at peek times.
It should also be noted when the A34 is closed due to an incident the traffic is diverted along the Drayton Road the impact of heavy lorries extra cars is immense.This is a regular event..
The argument about the pelican crossing is so incredulous this is actually to help the school children cross at a safe position from the ladygrove estate..and moving it elsewhere is without question pure stupidity
Flood Plain
it remains that this Development boarders on the the “extreme current Flood Plain” see Environ Map.. we have as residents just last weekend experienced flooding from the very field to our own houses as drains were overwhelmed that the sewers backed up from the water from the field!…Where are the drain plans! are they proposing to use the Thames Water Subditches? this and the surrounding fields flood consistantly and even in the summer the marsh reed grows and your boot sinks! that says it all..its WET!.
Impact on Social infrastructure ie Access to NHS( ie Gps) Schools, Nursery Primary Secondary College etcimpact already for disabilites to Elderly are at breaking point many of us already struggle to see a GP thus the additional impact for service provision to residents in the locality will be overwhelming. How on earth are they going to cope the answer is simple they wont.
Trees on the road line do they not have a preservation Order as they are very much older than me 100 years!and to see a tree of this majestychopped which has lined the area is a dreadful loss. Even if they plant a replacement it will not be in my lifetime nor of the resident that would reside in the new development! to see it in its Current state
.
The impact and loss of Natural Habitat and beautiful nature around this area not only the Deer herd but all other small creatures and birds that use this area will be devestating.
Builders.it is very noticable that Cranbourne Homes have been a preferred builder Ie Drayton Road, the Old Gaol, Twickenhouse to name but a few if you look at these houses they all look the same, its like living with a Macdonalds concept in building development. No Vison just same as,
What Percentage of the build is Social Housing?
I am interested in what review VWHDC have taken independantly about this development and where can we find the findings publically.or have I missed a public meeting? like i have the notification of the development!!
I am totally against this development its unacceptable in its entirety
hopefully no social housing – let the houses go to those that deserve them, not the freeloaders.
40% social. get this development stopped. lobby your local councillors.
It would be very helpful if all contributors to this blog would visit the VWHDC web site, type in planning number P12/V2266/FUL and make their feelings known where it might count. I cannot help noticing the poor turnout of contributors to this site.
Thank you all in anticipation.
You only have until 28th November to do this.
When reading the VWHDC Planning Notice in the Abingdon Herald, I noticed an asterisk (*) next to the planning number for this development. This apparently means this application is ‘not in accordance with the Development Plan’. Does anyone know exactly what this means and whether it could have any influence on the decision?
there is only one way to solve less traffic and that is less houses simple . The new traffic system does not work it was better how it was there was never the traffic we got down ock street now the new system is too confusing for people they go down the wrong streets .
Please, please, oppose this application for development via VWHDC link, it doesn’t take long and hopefully it will have an impact.
I don’t mind progress but no one seems to put planning applications in for a new school to ease the pressures of parents trying to get their children into the existing Primary schools and no one seems to want to invest in a better road system for the already over populated town.
Just reading one of the comments regarding wishes for some new shops to come to town and there was a mention of a Butchers. Abingdon has a Butchers, it’s in Broad Street and it’s called HEDGES. It’s behind the old ‘Stroll In’ shop and even though there isn’t a shop front as such, just a serving area, they are open to the public and not just a catering unit. They have been in Abingdon for many years, once having a shop where The Nursery is.
Go to a website called ‘write to them’ and it’s already set up with the local councillor’s addresses so you can fill in a template with your comments regarding the new development near Drayton Road.
Only a few days left before it’s too late.
As an Abingdonian of 30 years, I am horrified by the news and am incredulous that permission would be considered for any new housing development without plans for a new school, when existing schools are already so heavily oversubscribed. Having a young pre-schooler, I am aware that all the primary schools in our area have far more applicants than places. Many of my friends’ children were not able to attend their catchment school – or any school within walking distance. We live on the north-most point of Abingdon and our neighbours’ daughter had to be placed in a South Abingdon school – as have others nearby. With the population increasing, any new housing development without a new school will excabate a worsening situation and it is a huge concern for all the young families I know.
I am also concerned about the potential increase in traffic on our already congested road infrastructure, as well as the heightened floodrisk due to further building on the floodplain. Houses nearby the proposed development have flooded in the recent past; it seems logical and irresponsible therefore to grant planning consents in this area because of the close proximity to several major water courses with histories of severe flooding.
I implore councillors to prioritise building new schools in Abingdon, and make this a necessary requirement for ANY new housing development in our town before granting permission.
And yes, I have sent the above as an objection to the Council… Hopefully many others are objecting directly too? If you haven’t yet done so, please do it now as a matter of urgency. We need our voice heard.
Re No. 45 above.
Still no more contributions to the VWHDC Planning site.
I cannot believe that people with contribute to this blog, but not send their comments to where they might make a difference.
Shame on you all.
I left my comments over the weekend. I don’t know how long it takes for them to show up.
Sasha,
Much better to go direct to the VWHDC web site and type in
P12/V2266/FUL, where your comments can be left immediately.
Abingdon town planning met tonight to discuss this. Where were you. Although they have little say inthe final decision it was a first chance for residents to have their say.
I remember a suggestion a while ago to build a new footbridge alongside the bridge at the end of Drayton Road, and then removing the existing footpaths over the bridge, thereby creating space for a filter lane heading towards the A34. Seems like a good idea to alleviate the snarl at the double-mini-roundabout.
Trevor,
I, and I am sure many others, new nothing about this meeting. Had we done so, I am sure most of us would have attended.
Dave (#56),
I believe that that idea was indeed suggested but more than one of the respective councils would have been responsible (something like one council for land, another for roads etc etc); rather than working together to come to a solution, “one team said, that the other team said etc etc” until both were more intent on political point scoring rather than resolving an issue. And so history repeats itself.
Rather than swallow any political line fed by either…I just think it’ s a perfect example of how they both failed Abingdon…and lost my respect just a little more.
At davidofabingdon (#37),
Yes…that’s it entirely. In my 7 short years as an Abingdon resident, I am yet to see any evidence of joined up thinking as a route to tackle the towns ongoing issues.
Up until about 2 years ago…it was all the yellow teams fault. Now of course it’s all the blue teams fault. Each team continues to blame the other….whilst us residents put up with the fall out (ie no resolution)!
I was looking at old blogs and there was a lot of comments over 150 in fact regarding the tesco express being built at wooton road and oxford road . There was discussion of boycotting it and picket lines and protest etc etc and what happened the council still approved it and has anyone boycotted no you are not going to stop nothing .
A few comments:
This development should not go ahead because it will create even more traffic on roads that are already heavily congested every morning and every evening and increasingly at other times.
Saying that there is enormous need for housing, as evidenced by the number of people on local waiting lists.
It’s generally better to develop new housing on previously built on sites in town centres rather than on greenfield site outside towns. This sites people nearer to existing facilities and public transport links and means the increase in traffic is less. (In Abingdon’s case I’m sure the new houses built in the town centre over the last decade or so have had a positive impact on the restaurant trade etc.)
In the long term we desperately need investment in road infrastructure. When the ‘ABITS’ scheme was agreed it included the short term measures that have been implemented (with a mix of outcomes) but also included longer term measures including a second river crossing and the Lodge Hill junction becoming a full diamond interchange. Unfortunately these measures were dropped by the County Council in the latest County Transport Plan.
Saying all that I still think Abingdon is a wonderful place to live, and the town centre is doing much better than many other towns. I’ve never regretted moving here and hope to be hear for many decades to come.
Dave #56 – yes that was put forward as a possible way of helping the double roundabout flow better. I put it forward during the ABITS discussions more than ten years ago, having seen the County do a similar scheme on one of the bridges on Botley Road in Oxford, near where I work.
I’ve still not heard any convincing reason why it wouldn’t work.
(Admittedly it doesn’t solve the problem of traffic queuing back from the Colwell Drive roundabout but it would still help a lot of the time.)
@neil fawcett yeah the new houses have had an impact on trade thats why local traders are shut or will be shut it is only big names that can afford to keep pumping money into their shops who stay alive . How many times have you been into galaxy techno , skinny hippo , ybuynu , tve hire , qutis , dil raj , friend & co . The people of Abingdon do not bother with their own town for shops trust me i know
The only way to constructively oppose this is to 1. write to the VOWH in the strongest possible terms and 2. petition our local MP. As one of Cameron’s new breed I don’t hold out much hope that she really cares – although I am willing to be pleasantly surprised. Surely some sort of group representation to Nicola Blackwood is in order?
As to the subject – are there any lawyers willing to look at the so called traffic surveys and assess their validity/accuracy? Everything costs these days so a local expert giving their time for free is a huge ask, but maybe the only way? Abingdon Town Council seem to me to be short on ability and reluctant to adequately advertise/engage local opposition! They need to ‘get a grip’ to use the term of the moment!
Quite simply, the traffic will be unbearable for those already living here and employers/schools will suffer, not to mention the environment. It is simply not acceptable to go ahead with the development, putting profit before so called housing shortages/needs.
This is utterly shameless and blatant profiteering.
Abingdon Town Council, VOWH, and OCC need to grow a pair and stand up for the local inhabitants who will suffer as a result.
Perhaps you should stand Stuart – sounds like you have all the answers.
For the record the planning application was discussed at the town council last night. They are not the planning authority (which is the vale), but they can make comments to the planners and speak at the vale planning meeting.
The town council recommended that the planning application be refused, pretty much on the various grounds which have been outlined through this thread, and will obviously represent this view forcibly back to the vale.
Obviously the final decision rests with the Vale, and as previously expressed by contributors, people should make tgeir views known by commenting on the application on the planning website.
@shop owner – The fact is that the proportion of empty shops in Abingdon is very low compared to most towns round the country. Everyone always thinks their town is doing badly, but Abingdon isn’t actually doing that badly compared to others, and given the economic climate.
As for my purchasing habits, I’m not really in the target market for Skinny Hippo or ybuynu but I’ve regularly spent money in the Dil Raj (as well as Bella Napoli and Tiffins), tve hire, Mostly Books, Added Ingredients and several of the independent run cafes and pubs.
@Stuart – we need to persuade the Vale Planning Committee to oppose the application in the first instance and also get the Vale Council as a whole to get the new Local Development Framework sorted out.
Part of the argument against the application should be that the traffic figures are nonsense, as iain says this was one of the key points put at the Town Council Planning Committee meeting on Monday.
@Iain – the final decision does not necessarily lie with the Vale. If the vale turns it down the developer may well apepal and it will then be dwn to a Planning Inspector, and the developer has a strong case because the Vale’s Development Framework is not yet in place. Their application specifically cites this as an argument in favour of the development.
You are quite right about them going to appeal Neil. Three of the people I spoke to at the exhibition at the Roysse Room 6/9/2012 said it would definitely go to appeal if the Vale refuses planning permission.
The plan says that there is a number 32 bus to Wantage from Drayton Road every hour. This is complete rubbish . There are no buses to Wantage along this road and the 32b/c bus just runs four times a day between 8 pm and 11 pm.
I have just worked out that on a weekday there are over 225 buses from Abingdon town centre to Oxford but only 22 of these go along the Drayton Road . On a Saturday there are only 13.
With so few buses the people in the 160 new houses would have to use their cars !
I urge all of my residents to make your comments on the website, as suggested. Heated language does not achieve anything and ALL councillors have been available via email, telephone and letters.
I am always here to talk to anyone who has concerns, queries or questions.
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P12/V2266/FUL
I have seen all the letters of objection written to the VWHDC but there still doesn’t seem to be enough. Please tell everyone you know to put their views across as a lot of people don’t even know about this.
does not matter where there is a development weather its abingdon drayton or steventon the traffic will still come on the b4107 to abingdon.weather it will be radley wotton peachcroft still has to go through the town.so in my eyes we still needs houses in abingdon as i have been on the countcill for seval years and cant get no were….
As a seasoned pessimist I feel I must ask…what point is there in objecting to this?
Please don’t get me wrong; I do object to this proposal, and I will be writing in my objections. But will it make a difference? How does the process work – how many objections need to be received in order to make a difference?
From a planning point of view, is this proposal a “given”, unless adequate opposition – in which case, what is adequate opposition.
Or
Is this proposal dead in the water – unless the developers meet the relevant planning criteria?
Ian (#64) says that the Planning Authority have the decision…so…either ‘they’ agree the proposal is a bad idea, or they think it is a good idea. But surely they know the issues with the traffic etc…so can’t even consider the proposal? Do they have a default position, if so, what is it? If they are ‘for it’, what do they need to hear and by how many, in order to convince them otherwise…
I’m just curious…
Hi guys local residences are looking to set up their own committee to fight against these plans and want to know if people are more likely to use a Blogs, Facebook or twitter?
They would like to tell more people what the latest news is/meeting dates ect
It would be great to hear what you think??
Credit to all the Abingdon residence who care and have made the effort here. Personally experience the Abingdon Planning committee first hand. Please do not expect rationale or common sense, I am afraid that Most committee members are from outlying villages miles from Abingdon who have no idea of the local issues – shame but factual.
Money talks here and the present government have relaxed building regs.to encourage more housing projects as they believe it will help the current economic conditions as the have no plan B. As we have a Conservative majority on the council voting no will be against their party whip. Expect the worse, common sense has no play on this occasion. Apologies for being the merchant of doom so clog to Christmas – Ho Ho anyway
Abingdon Abbott, that’s an absolute fallacy. You shouldn’t propagate lies to the electorate. Councillors are not “whipped” and so are free to vote/decide how they please and with the conscience. We’re not robots, we have minds of our own!
If this planning application goes to planning committee, residents are welcome to come and observe for themselves.
Thank you councillor Jason for your feedback. As you have been voted in by the electorate, please let “us” know what you conscience is telling you on this matter, give us some rationale based on your knowledge of the area. By the way which area do you represent for the Vale. Within my initial comment I based by experience on a factual personal experiance with this planning committee – fact. I had to listen to my application being discussion by individual who had little to no knowledge of Abingdon, do you think that is due process???? Great forum by the way.
Forgot to say – would a new bridge over the Thames connecting Culham Road to the Marina area reduce traffic through the town and off Drayton Road as traffic would not need to drive through Drayton or Sutton C to get to South Abingdon from the East.
Gone a bit quite – why stop at this field with only two further field we are closer in joining Abingdon to Drayton. Guess that would reduce the house prices there too.
From my experience of the VWHDC they do what they like, and will do again this time around. How about banning noisy pubs ? That would be nice but apparently they are perfectly legal no matter how much they disturb the neighbourhood.
i havent gone quite….. i have been waiting for a house like i said for serval years in south abingdon.so i am well happy to have houses from south abingdon all the way through to drayton then MAYBE IF IM LUCKY I MAY GET ONE .
http://southabingdon.blogspot.co.uk/ Attached is a link to a blog dedicated to opposing the plans to build 160 dwellings east of the Drayton road and to enable residents to be kept informed, to ensure that we focus our opposition to achieve maximum impact.
Some people might be ‘well happy’ to ‘get’ a house via social housing should these houses be built.
The same people will probably have kids now or in the near future and if there are no spaces in the already full schools will these people be ‘well happy’ if their child is offered a school in Dry Sandford, for example? This has actually happened in the past without the threat of new housing.
If these people have cars I wonder if they will be ‘well happy’ sitting in rush hour traffic on the Drayton Road trying to get to school?
Abingdon Abbott, my comments and opinions on the 160 houses are voiced on the link I provided to the VOWHDC Planning site. They are there for everyone to read.
You can also find my email address and contact details on the VOWHDC website if you wish to contact me further.
I’ve just received a flyer in my mailbox about this, so there might be an increase in objections soon, as I knew nothing about it before. I hate to appear like a NIMBY when I know how much more housing is needed generally, but I’ve just sent in my strong objection to this application on the grounds of traffic congestion. Nobody who supports this development has sat in traffic queues on the Drayton Rd. It’s clearly a massively overloaded route from the Preston Rd to the Marcham Rod/Ock St junction, and it regularly takes 20 minutes to do the 2-minute journey. I’d be all for the development if it meant that they would tackle what is already a huge problem, but to add to it without a clear solution seems like madness. I wonder if the people moving into these new houses would be told that they have a 20-minute journey to the A34 or Abingdon town centre on many occasions? And once they’ve all taken up residence, make that 30 minutes.
I would like to add my protest on the grounds of the traffic conjestion down the Drayton Road. Already very heavily subscribed with diffiiculty in Ock Street and Marcham Road. Will encourage extra traffic to access the town down Preston Road and over the narrow bridge into St Helen’s Street. This will then cause chaos in the town centre.
I wish to express my objection.
Guildhall, 10am this Saturday. Spread the word!
I hope we can make a difference by attending and putting our views across.
Barbara, have registered your objection on the Vale website? If not…it doesn’t count.
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P12/V2266/FUL
Just registered my oppostion on the council website.
Looks like Thames Water aren’t too happy about the plan and there is a significant amount of infrastructure work that would be needed before anything went through. It will be interesting to see what other reports come in as there are lots not uploaded yet.
Does anyone know if new build homes are still being planned for abingdon.
Im interested to know what possible sites and time scale?