Residents shown Abingworth Meadows progress

An exhibition day was held to show residents the progress at Abingworth Meadows '“ the new home development in Thakeham '“ on Saturday (November 12).
The Abingworth Meadows launch in July 2016. Picture: Mike HarrisThe Abingworth Meadows launch in July 2016. Picture: Mike Harris
The Abingworth Meadows launch in July 2016. Picture: Mike Harris

Residents were invited to visit the site to see how quickly the first phase of new homes was progressing.

A question and answer session was also held for residents to discuss phase 2 and phase 3 of the plan.

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The exhibition ran from 10am to 2pm before the questions and answer session started from 2pm.

Richard Sutcliffe-Smith, on behalf of Abingworth Homes said: “It was a fun day.

“There were around 80 people there for the exhibition and then about 40 people stayed to ask a few questions.

“We will be collecting the feedback forms in the next two weeks to hear what people have made of the current development and future plans.”

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Phase 2 of the Abingworth Homes development was originally planned for the over-55s.

However, it was decided that three and four bedroom houses for younger people and families would be more appropriate than a retirement community in this location.

Phase 2 could accommodate 62 smaller homes to meet the local demand for family housing, according to local estate agents.

Abingworth Homes also answered any concerns residents had with phase 3 of the plan.

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Phase 3 is currently considering a safe walking and cycling route from the village down to Rydon College to where the new Thakeham First school will move in 2017.

Mr Sutcliffe-Smith said: “There is a first school in Thakeham in The Street which is quite old. This will be moved next September near Rydon. The big issue at the time, according to the parish council, was that people were concerned there was no path to the new site.

“We have asked people to return their feedback forms by November 26 and then we can work with the parish council.

“We put on a mini bus trip to the new homes development on Saturday too. As it is a building site, we couldn’t take people into see it so we ran the mini bus.

“It was a good day.”

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Londis will be running the new shop in the village and owner Ramesh Shingadia was there to answer questions from residents.

Mr Sutcliffe-Smith said: “He has currently run Londis in Southwater for the last 30 years and opened one in Horsham. He was there to hear what people would like to see in the new shop in the village.

“The aim of the day was to consult with people on the ideas we have proposed. We aimed to update people on the progress on the village hall.

“The general feedback from people was that they seemed pleased to be kept informed.”

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