This section of the plan contains the site-specific proposals for Wallingford. In 2001, Wallingford had an estimated population of 6,273. Between 1996 and 2001, 94 dwellings were completed in the town and planning permissions for housing had been granted on the former Paul's Malt and Wallingford Upper School sites. A number of the allocations for employment-generating development in the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 1997 have not been taken up and most of these have been carried forward into this plan.

Oxfordshire County Council has identified this site as being surplus to their requirements when the relocation programmes for Blue Mountains Older People's Home and the Sinodun Centre have taken place. An overall strategy is in place for these services, and it is expected that this process will be completed and the site made available for redevelopment by mid-2004.

The site is 1.57 hectares in area and is shown on the Proposals Map. It is considered that a residential use would be appropriate having regard to the character of the neighbouring land uses. Any redevelopment proposal should complement the surrounding development patterns and include frontage development onto Wantage Road. A high-quality design will be required and proposals must reflect the need for a range of dwelling types and sizes in accordance with Policy H7. The proposal must take account of important features on the site, and provide for the retention of the important trees on the site including the trees protected by tree preservation orders.

Other policies in the plan will also have relevance to any redevelopment. In particular, the Council will seek the provision of 40% of units as affordable housing in accordance with Policy H9. Contributions to necessary infrastructure services and facilities will be required in accordance with Policy D11.

This site is approximately 0.1 hectares in size and is shown on the Proposals Map. It is located on the important approach to the town centre along Castle Street and should be developed in accordance with a comprehensive scheme, which would achieve an attractive group of buildings, with satisfactory access and parking arrangements. Piecemeal proposals for part of the site will not be permitted.

Proposals should retain the former Coach House adjacent to Bear Lane, which is a listed building. The Council would welcome proposals that retain and convert into residential use the disused Lamb Garage building, with its interesting clay tiled roof, alongside Castle Street. However, should conversion be demonstrably impractical, the Council would consider the demolition of this building provided that replacement buildings are in keeping with the urban design characteristics of Castle Street. In this respect, buildings must be sited close to the street creating a strong sense of enclosure. A two-storey building height would be appropriate, except on the corner of Castle Street and Bear Lane where a three-storey building would be appropriate to create a key building at the entrance to the Lane. Buildings in excess of two-storeys over the whole site would detract from the setting of the Lamb Arcade, which should remain the dominant building at the southern end of Castle Street.

Proposals must accord with other policies in the plan, in particular with Policies H7 and H8 which seek to ensure that a suitable mix of dwelling types and sizes are achieved at an appropriate density. The Council will also seek to ensure that the design of the development is of a high standard meeting the requirements of Section 4 of the plan and having regard to the Council's Design Guide. Contributions to necessary infrastructure services and facilities will be required in accordance with Policy D11.

If redevelopment proposals result in the provision of fifteen or more dwellings then the Council will seek the provision of 40% of units as affordable housing in accordance with Policy H9.

This site is mainly in the ownership of the District Council and is currently an industrial estate. The estate is generally of a run-down appearance and a number of the premises are substandard for modern business use and/or empty. The Council considers that the re-use of the whole site for housing would be preferable. However a mixed housing/employment scheme which retained a limited number of employment uses would also be acceptable provided that the amenities of the occupiers of adjacent residential properties were protected.

The site is 1.77 hectares in size and currently contains premises used by the Scout Association and St John's Ambulance Brigade and provision should be made for the retention of these community uses either on site or on a suitable alternative site within Wallingford.

The development should be designed in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 4 of this plan and have regard to the provisions of the South Oxfordshire Design Guide. The density of the proposed development should accord with Policy H8 and a mix of size and type of dwellings should be provided in accordance with Policy H7. The Council will seek the provision of 40% of the dwellings as affordable housing in accordance with Policy H9. Contributions to necessary services and infrastructure will be required in accordance with Policy D11. Provision should be made for children's play in accordance with Policy R2 and this could include enhancement of the existing play space at Allnatt Avenue.

The South Oxfordshire Shopping Study indicates that in the event that the existing Waitrose supermarket relocates from its existing building at 11-16 St Martins Street then the southern part of Wallingford town centre would lose an important anchor store. The withdrawal of large numbers of shoppers from this locality would adversely affect the vitality and viability of the southern part of the town centre. The Shopping Study recommends, therefore, that it would be important, if Waitrose relocates, to secure a new retail use for the supermarket building that would continue to draw large numbers of shoppers and thereby maintain the anchor role. Accordingly, Policy WAL4 will not permit proposals for changes of use or redevelopment that would extinguish the Class A1 use. The loss of a significant number of car parking spaces in the adjacent public car park would also harm the economy of the town centre.

The sites on the Hithercroft Estate identified above are considered to be suitable for new or more intensive employment-generating development. Part of the former Elliott Factory (site (i)) is used for warehousing and storage and outline permission was granted for B1 and B8 uses on the site in 2000. Land at Lupton Road (site (ii)) is also partially developed and outline planning permission was granted for B1 and B8 units on this site in 1999. There have been no planning applications for development on land at Whitley Road (site (iii)), which lies adjacent to Bradford's Brook. There is also no development on land at the junction of Whitley Road with Lester Road (site (iv)), although planning permissions were granted in 1990 and 1991 to extend the adjacent factory, offices and warehouse. These have now expired. No development has occurred on land north of Hithercroft Road (site (v)), however, there is an outline planning application for a B1 and B8 business park on this site. Any proposal on these sites will need to comply with the relevant policies in Sections 4, 6 and 8 of this plan.

The railway spur from Wallingford closed some years ago and is now used by the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society. It is also hoped that the line could be re-used as a rail link to the main line at Cholsey. The land shown on the allocation would provide extra space for the Society, particularly for car parking and would assist in providing for any future passenger rail link.