Green Spaces
The steering group has identified a series of green spaces across the town that are considered deserving of protection against loss to development.
This protection is because they play a recreational role in the town, have a heritage value, provide a home for wildlife, are tranquil and/or are beautiful. The green spaces must also be within proximity to the community it serves.
Please look at the green space drawings and text below and answer the questions at the bottom of the page.
1 - Land west of Wootton Road - A triangular space bordered on all three sides by roads. Tree cover along these roads provides some screening. Site is enclosed by fencing which however can be accessed off the roundabout at Copenhagen Drive and Wootton Road junction. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
2 – Land between Mons Way and Copenhagen Drive - A long strip of land spanning the length of Mons Way, adjacent to housing development on the western edge of Abingdon. Land consists of a strip of grass and a heavily treed strip which runs adjacent to Copenhagen Drive. Potential for additional tree planting or wildflower verges if grass was unmown. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
3 – Land east of Copenhagen Drive - A strip of land wrapping around the edge of the settlement, forming a grassy verge on the eastern side of Copenhagen Drive. Mature trees span the southern part of the strip to the north of Mons Way, with some further mature trees in the back gardens of houses backing onto Copenhagen Drive providing a further green feel to the strip. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
4 – Land south of Dunmore Road - A curved strip of land comprising a grassy verge to the south of Dunmore Road as it curves round the north of the settlement. The land is of varying depths along Dunmore Road with a range of trees and hedgerows throughout the length and breaks up at points along the strip to allow for access roads and bus stops. Potential for additional tree planting or wildflower verges if grass was unmown. Designation criteria that apply: RECREATION WILDLIFE
5 – Land at Long Furlong A swathe of green space bisecting two residential areas forming part of Long Furlong. Heavily treed on the site edges and dense tree cover to the west. A play park and community centre sit to the north of the site and footpaths run the length of the site west to east. A local asset for recreation which could benefit from more diverse planting. Also identified as a site of ecological interest. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
6 – Wooded Land at Long Furlong - A swathe of heavily treed green space with a wooded feel. The land bisects two residential areas forming part of Long Furlong. A stream runs along the southern border of the site which then runs south. Public footpaths run through the area. Identified as a site of ecological interest. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
7 – Play park at Long Furlong - An open green space comprising a play park and community centre which sit to the northern section of the site. Public footpaths run through the site and connect the space with the woodland to the south-west which leads onto Dunmore Road and beyond. Site could benefit from more diverse planting to enhance biodiversity. Identified as a site of ecological interest. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
8 - Land at north-western section of Farm Road - The northern section of a residential road with semi-detached dwellings running along both sides. Minimal existing green infrastructure runs along the road however could be improved through homeowners planting trees in front gardens. Designation criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
9 – Land at the northern section of Appleford Drive - This site forms the northern part of a residential road which has terraced dwellings either side. These are set back from the road and provide grassy verge strips on either side. A few mature trees and bushes line parts of the road on the northern side and there is potential for further tree cover. Designation criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
10 – Land between Appleford Drive and Compton Drive - A small neighbourhood green space set either side of the junction of two residential roads. The area is covered by well-maintained grass and the western section comprises three mature trees. There is potential for further tree cover. Designation criteria that apply: RECREATION WILDLIFE
11 – Verges on the southern side of Appleford Drive - A small green space lying opposite Compton Drive on the southern side of Appleford Drive as it curves round to the south. Residential dwellings lie to the south-west of the street which are set back from the road providing space for grassy verges. There is some tree cover in adjacent front gardens however there is potential for increased tree cover on these verges. Designation criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
12 – Land between Appleford Drive and Garford Close - This is a small piece of recreation land which sits between Appleford Drive and Garford Close at the heart of the residential area. It comprises some mature trees. Designation criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
13 - Land at central section of Farm Road - The central section of a residential road with semi-detached dwellings running along both sides. Minimal existing green infrastructure in the area however could be improved through homeowners planting trees in front gardens to further green the neighbourhood. Designation criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
14 - Land at south-eastern section of Farm Road - A grassy verge to the south of Farm Road on its junction with Sellwood Road, adjacent to existing dwellings. A few mature trees lie to the west of the space however could be improved through homeowners planting trees in front gardens to further green the neighbourhood. Designation criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
15 – Football ground at the junction of Northcourt and Oxford Road - Lying with in the Northcourt Conservation Area, this land is a formal recreation space home to Abingdon Football club which is key for recreation within the settlement. It adjoins an open area of green space which lies to the west. Mature trees and fencing along Northcourt Road and the busy Oxford Road provide a level of screening to the space. To the north of the site lie the football club building and The Northcourt, a live music venue. Designation criteria that apply: RECREATION WILDLIFE
16 – Land at the southern end of Appleford Drive - Along the northern edge of the southern part of Appleford Drive are wide grass verges. The dwellings along the street are set back which provides an opportunity to plant trees on these verges to green the neighbourhood. Designated criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
17 – Land at the junction of Appleford Drive and Chilton Close - This strip of land runs along the edges of Hendred Way, forming two rectangular strips of land running north to south adjacent to existing dwellings along Appleford Drive. There is the potential for tree planting to green the neighbourhood. Designated criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
18 – Land at the junction of Appleford Drive and Hendred Way - This piece of land forms an irregularly based verge on the corner of Chilton Close with Appleford Drive where the houses are set back from the curving street. There is the potential for tree planting to green the neighbourhood. Designated criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
19 – Land at Larkhill Stream - This strip of land is heavily treed and runs through two neighbourhoods from south-west to north-east. Larkhill Stream runs along the land and a footpath also spans the majority of the stretch linking two residential areas. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
20 – Land at Borough Walk - This site forms a neighbourhood green space near to a few local services, set either side of Wootton Road. The grassy space is well maintained and contains a variety of types of mature trees and hedges however could benefit from additional tree planting to form a denser tree covering. Alternatively, potential for wildflower verges if grass was unmown. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
21 – Land north of Heron’s Walk - An informal grassy recreation area which lies at the heart of a residential area. Some mature trees lie on the edges of the site with potential for further planting. A small car parking area lies to the south. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
22 – Land at Abbey Fishponds Nature Reserve - A heavily treed and biodiverse nature reserve which bisects two residential areas to the south east of the settlement. A stream runs through from north-west to south-east and footpaths run throughout. Identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
23 – Land at Boxhill Wood - A piece of land at the heart of a residential area comprising a more heavily wooded area and two informal recreation spaces. Multiple footpaths run through the site. The site is identified as an area of ecological interest however potential for biodiversity enhancement across the site with the parts not used for recreation being left unmown. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
24 – Graveyard north of Spring Gardens - This site forms the newer graveyard associated with the church and cemetery at Spring Road. The site lies adjacent to a residential area and a school. Some mature trees exist on site, and it is loosely bordered by trees and hedges. The site has been identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY WILDLIFE
25 – Land at Spring Road Cemetery - This site comprises a church and cemetery and is enclosed by residential development on all sides. It is bordered by trees and hedgerows with mature trees scattered throughout. The site has been identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY WILDLIFE
26 – Land at Albert Park and Abingdon School - This land lies at the heart of Abingdon, comprising the historic Albert Park which features a bowling club, and to the east lies the formal recreation land associated with the school. Albert Park provides public walking routes for recreational use. The site is heavily treed on all edges and is recognised as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY HISTORY WILDLIFE
27 – Land at Barton Fields and Abbey Meadows and Gardens - This site comprises the recreation space of Barton Fields situated to the north of the River Thames as well as the more formal Abbey Meadows and Gardens to the south-west. The site is heavily treed to the north west with trees scattered throughout the site and at the edges. Public footpaths run through the site as well as a stream which runs adjacent to the River Thames. The entire site is identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY HISTORY WILDLIFE
28 – Land at Abingdon Community Hospital - This site comprises the community hospital which is slightly set back from Marcham Road with a verge lying adjacent to the road. There are trees along the verge and throughout the site though there is the potential to increase tree cover. A small green space lies to the north-west of the site which could have further tree planting to further green the site. Designated criteria that apply: WILDLIFE
29 – Land at Orpwood Meadow and Sandford Brook - This site lies on the western edge of the settlement, comprising both a dense wooded area and some more informal recreation land and a play area. The River Ock and a tributary run through the site from west to east alongside a public footpath. The site is identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
30 – Land at Ock Valley Walk - A dense wooded area situated on the western edge of the settlement adjacent to residential development. The River Ock and a tributary run through the site from west to east alongside a public footpath. The site is identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
31 – Land at Rye Farm Meadow - This strip of land runs adjacent to the River Thames leading up to Abingdon Lock and forms a swathe of informal recreation space. The site has mature trees scattered throughout as well as a range of footpaths running through. The site has been identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY HISTORY WILDLIFE
32 – Land at Barrow Field - This site forms an open space on the western edge of the settlement to the south of the business park. It is inaccessible to the public. The site has mature trees scattered throughout and has been identified as a site of ecological interest. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY BEAUTY WILDLIFE
33 – Land south of Masefield Crescent - An informal recreation area to the south west of Abingdon, with long ranging views of the Vale and Berkshire Downs. The site is bordered by mature trees and comprises a play park and sports pitches. Accessible from Masefield Crescent however could be made more accessible and increase publicity through signs from Drayton Road and Masefield Crescent. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
34 – Land south of Hogarth Place - This site comprises an irregular shaped informal recreation space at the heart of a residential area. Mature trees are scattered throughout the site and several intersecting footpaths run through to link the site to the surrounding residential area. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
35 – Land east of River Close - This site comprises an irregular shaped informal recreation space at the heart of a residential area. Mature trees are scattered throughout the site however planting could be increased to enhance biodiversity. A footpath runs through to connect the site to the adjacent residential area. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION WILDLIFE
36 – Abingdon Southern Town Park - A large formal green space situated to the south east of the settlement and used widely for recreation. Around half of the area is covered by trees and shrubs however the site has a low range of biodiversity which could be improved. The site is home to a play area and footpaths run throughout. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
37 – Abingdon Marina Park - A green space lying adjacent to the Thames and Marina to the south-east of the settlement which is widely used for recreation. The majority of the site is covered by mature trees which a circular walk runs through. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
38 – Land south of Caldecott - This site lies in an isolated position to the south of the settlement south-west of the tennis and rugby club and west of the BMX Track. It is bordered on all elevations by mature trees and hedgerows. A small stream runs down the eastern edge of the site and the land is not accessible to the public. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY BEAUTY WILDLIFE
39 – Land north-west of Abingdon sewage works - This site lies south of the settlement directly south of Abingdon tennis and rugby club. Parts of the site are heavily treed and there are footpaths through the site. On the south of the site lie allotments and at the north lies a BMX track. Designated criteria that apply: TRANQUILITY RECREATION BEAUTY WILDLIFE
