Sir, Your article about the Vale council’s plans to sell Old Abbey House described the historical and community value of the house and steps being taken by the Friends of Abingdon to protect them: it did not mention that developers can include in their bids that part of the Abbey Gardens which is next to the house and inside the low wall. This area has always been an integral part of the gardens which extend from there to the lake: it was part of the Abbey precinct — indeed part of it lies within the area designated as a ‘scheduled monument’.

The house and gardens were offered to Abingdon Borough Council by the owners at a favourable price in 1923 only ‘because the property would be used for the good of the people of Abingdon’ and since then it has been a much-loved public open space. In 2007, it was refurbished, in line with Trendell’s original design, using a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant.

The Friends of Abingdon are very concerned that selling the garden to a private owner will lead to removal of public access and/or to steps being taken to shield it from public view — spoiling one of Abingdon’s most attractive vistas.

We are aware that under the Local Government Act 1972 the Vale can only dispose of public open space such as this after appropriate consultation. They have assured us that they will honour these obligations — but this does not mean that it will not be sold.

The Abingdon Borough Council minutes of July 1923 state that the council approved the purchase of Old Abbey House because ‘the town would be acquiring a historical site that ought to be in public hands’.

That is as true now as it was then.

Hester Hand

Secretary

The Friends of Abingdon