Controversial housing plan on agenda in Abingdon (From Herald Series)

Controversial housing plan on agenda in Abingdon

1:10pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

ABINGDON residents are invited to attend a special meeting about a controversial housing development.

Hallam Land Management was denied permission to build 160 houses on land east of Drayton Road by the district council in January.

However, the Sheffield-based firm is appealing against the decision to the central government’s Planning Inspectorate, on the grounds that the Vale of White Horse District Council does not have a current Local Plan for housing, despite the fact that it is currently creating one.

In January, the Vale’s head of planning, Adrian Duffield, refused to give permission for the development on the grounds it would “generate additional traffic movements on to Drayton Road” adding to “unacceptable” levels of congestion.

The town council also opposed the application on a number of grounds including traffic, detrimental impact on the local landscape and natural environment and the design of the development.

On Friday the council issued a statement saying: “The timescales for the appeal process are very tight, and representations have to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by March 15.”

It has now invited all residents to a public meeting to explain how they can get involved in the appeals process.

The meeting will be held on Saturday at 10am in the Abbey Hall, Guildhall.