Sites in the centre of Abingdon are being considered for redevelopment as the Vale of White Horse District Council attempts to hit Government housing targets.

The council has suggested Ock Street – one of the main routes into the town centre – as a site where new homes could be built over the next 17 years.

The redevelopment is dependent on the findings of the Vale’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, which defines flood risk zones.

Plans for Ock Street were revealed in the council’s draft Local Development Framework – its long-term plans for the district.

Among ideas being considered are redeveloping unused space above shops to provide flats.

The council’s plan also proposes a 1,500-home development on fields west of Drayton Road, to be built by 2026.

Mary de Vere, executive member for planning at the Vale, said: “Ock Street is a potential brownfield site.

“If there are rooms empty above shops it is only sensible that they could become flats.”

Principal planner Alison Blyth said: “Ock Street is in the centre of the town. It is near all facilities and services, including shops, banks, doctors, dentists and hairdressers.”

The flood risk assessment, being carried out for the Environment Agency, is due to be finished within the next few weeks.

Ms Blyth said there were three flood zone maps outlining areas at different levels of risk.

She said: “Once the study is produced, the Environment Agency will incorporate the results in its flood zone map.”

She said potential housing plans were at a much earlier stage of development.

She said: “We have to get the flood risk assessment done, get the zone maps agreed, and then look at the redevelopment areas.”