Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Old Gaol up for sale

The Old Gaol in Abingdon will be put on the market by the Vale of White Horse District Council for development bids in the New Year.

Briefing documents for potential developers have been prepared which detail what the site consists of and the type of development which the Council believes could be suitable for the site.

Arrangements are due to be discussed at the Executive meeting on 5th January and it is expected an advert inviting expressions of interest will be published later that month or in early February.

A decision on the successful bid will not be made until the summer, when the new Council is in place following elections in May.

The Council anticipates proposals for mixed use, including commercial and residential although bidders are open to put forward any ideas. If housing is part of the bid it may have to include an element of affordable housing, depending on the number of new dwellings being proposed. Council-owned land in Harcourt Way, Abingdon, could be made available for this purpose as part of the deal.

Developers will be instructed that there has to be controlled public access to the site, including the courtyard, through the ground floor of the Old Gaol to the riverside garden. This could be achieved by the inclusion of a pub or restaurant open to the public or by other ideas from developers. The Council encourages community use at the developer’s discretion, but rules out an exclusive community facility as it will reduce the value of the deal and require ongoing financial support.

All parts of the site could be demolished apart from the Grade II listed early nineteenth century Old Gaol building itself. The Old Police Station, though also Grade II listed, could be demolished if the case were proven to both the Vale’s Development Control Committee and the Secretary of State.

Views of the Old Gaol from across the river and courtyard are to be preserved and any development must be sympathetic to the local skyline, including St Helens Church and the County Hall.

The site will be sold with vacant possession so existing tenants will be expected to move before the development begins. This is not likely to be before 2008 and the Council will be discussing how it might help tenants find alternative premises.

Chief Executive Terry Stock said: “The Old Gaol is a landmark building in the town and developing the site offers some exciting opportunities. The waterside location and historic buildings on the site will offer a unique challenge to any developer.

“The Castle site development in Oxford demonstrates what is possible with complex heritage sites, and while we cannot expect something on such a grand scale, we do hope to have a development of that quality. The briefing to developers is quite clear that we expect this development to enhance the town and contribute to a vibrant town centre for residents and visitors.”