Abingdon residents have been asked for their views on plans for the development of the town over the next 18 years – including a suggested 1,500 new homes.

To mark the start of public consultation on the Vale of White Horse District Council’s proposals, a series of workshops have been held at the Guildhall.

Drawings and maps of the potential developments, which include a new River Thames bridge and a southern bypass road, to be built in conjunction with a 1,500-home development to the south-west of the town, went on display.

The bypass would link Drayton Road and Marcham Road.

Barry Kirby, 63, of Lovelace Close, said: “The building of 1,500 houses and the expansion of the town could turn it into a building site, but the good side is the bypass, which the town could do with.

“It could also do with another bridge, which would take the traffic away from the town centre.”

Michael Bloom, 62, of Withington Court, said: “The houses will spoil a lot of the countryside – it’s nice walking along the south side of the Thames.

“Abingdon would just be full of roads.”

The new plan – which details anticipated residential, commercial and infrastructure projects in the district over the next 18 years – also includes plans to make the A34 Lodge Hill junction north of the town a full four-way one .

Town councillor Tim Oates supports the building of a new bridge over the Thames. he said: “I thought it was good that the district council is interacting with the public.”

If the 1,500 new homes are built in Abingdon, the district council expects developer contributions to cover the cost of building the bypass and bridge.

Town council leader Lesley Legge said: “We do need more affordable housing for local people but adding a large number of housing in south Abingdon, which is already suffering from congested and restricted access to the town centre and main services, is the wrong location.

“Communities without their own appropriate infrastructure and balance isolate people.”

A development strategy is due to be drafted for Government approval next year.

If the plan is backed, developers will be able to start applying for planning permission from next year.

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk