A council fears disruption after work has begun on a new section of a major development site.

Grounds and drainage work has started on land north of 12 Acre Drive, Abingdon, which forms part of the second phase of the Abingdon North development.

This phase will deliver 371 houses, pavilion and sports pitches, within two phases of the North Abingdon development, eastern parcel area A and B.

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Mike Pighills, district councillor for Abingdon Peachcroft, spoke with developer Bellway about the latest phase of their development, which Nathan Ley, county councillor for Abingdon North, shared on social media.

Mr Pighills correspondence reveals that house building north of 12 Acre Drive will start before Christmas, with approximately one house being built per week.

The housing side of the development is planned to be complete by 2028.

The councillor’s back and forth with the developer also revealed there will be some traffic disruption on 12 Acre Drive when the ‘bell mouth’ entrances are created.

The developer stated it believes this work is at least 10 months away.

The cycle lane and path to Radley Road roundabout had to be replanned due to culvert and drainage issues, but the path will now be set back further from the road.

Work is also estimated to begin on this in around 10 months, and will take three to four months, but the developer will update the council on this.

Speaking about the potential for flooding issues – which did occur at Peachcroft Roundabout during an earlier phase of the development - Mr Pighills said: “Hopefully there won’t be repeat flooding issues, the developer said it is doing drainage works now and it has agreed a drainage management plan, working closely with the drainage officers.

“It said it will be doing some pumping for a short period.”

Mr Pighills also raised the question of what will happen to the pile of cut down tree on the site.

He said: “The developer plans to chop the larger trees, move them around the site and form wildlife habitats with them.

“Anything not used will be removed. This will happen in the next few weeks and there will not be a bonfire.”

Bellway told Mr Pighills there will not be regular communication with residents about what is happening, but that updates will be shared on social media.

The developer will also be implementing two public right of way routes through the completed development, to connect to the existing route towards Radley College.

According to Mr Pighill’s correspondence with Bellway, the developer is planning to complete the play areas and football pitches by 2026.

The county council and developer have been contacted for comment. 

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1