Abingdon’s Abbey Grounds riverside area is set for a major boost thanks to a project that the whole community can get involved with.
Abbey Garden and Abbey Meadow, which are situated on the northern bank of the River Thames in Abingdon, currently include award-winning gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and splash pad, pitch and putt, crazy golf, outdoor tennis courts, a children’s play area, and public open spaces in which people can walk or relax by the water.
The area is a very popular destination, particularly in the spring and summer months; however, the Vale of White Horse District Council is keen to invest in these facilities to further benefit residents and to see this prime riverside site appeal to an even wider demographic, so that it attracts visitors all year-round.
Starting this October, district council is working with national charity Hidden Britain, will invite key community groups in Abingdon to a workshop to discuss how Abbey Grounds could be improved to attract more visitors. Hidden Britain is an expert in community engagement with specific expertise in developing the visitor economy in market towns. A series of different scenarios for the site will be worked up, based on the outcome of workshop discussions with community groups in the town.
These proposals – or scenarios - will be made public in Spring 2015 at a public consultation event, and residents will be asked to vote on which one they would like to see happen.
In 2012, a public consultation carried out by the Choose Abingdon Partnership identified that there was a need to develop the Abbey Grounds area in order to improve the leisure offering and bring more people to the area.
To find out more about the project, please visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/TheAbbeyProject.
Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet Member for Economy, Leisure and Property, said: “Abbey Grounds next to the River Thames in Abingdon is a wonderful area in which to spend time; however, we really want this great riverside location to fulfil its potential as a prime tourism, leisure and relaxation area.”
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “To develop the site we need to get to grips with what people want to see there and what’s feasible given certain constraints, including the flood plain, and financial and heritage considerations. Over the next few months we will work with local community and interest groups to develop three feasible proposals, then it will be time for the people of Abingdon to decide which one gets the go ahead.”
In a separate project Vale of White Horse District Council is also working with the people of Wantage to make improvements to ManorRoadMemorial Park. It is anticipated that new play equipment will be installed in 2015, with other changes expected to follow.