Councillor Andy Crawford is seeking your views on a local issues for residents on Kingsgrove.

Local people who have moved to the Kingsgrove estate tell me how they have seen their management fees rise by hundreds of pounds. We believe that something needs to change. Now some local residents are facing almost a £600 yearly bill. 

 By adopting over half the land, we will be reducing the amount of money that is going to the management companies, contractors and covering so called ‘administration fees’. 

More details and FAQ's at the bottom of the page. If you have any more questions, 
please feel free to contact Cllr Crawford here: andrew.crawford@wantagetowncouncil.gov.uk

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More details & Frequently Asked Questions

Land Proposal FAQ's

Q1. What land falls within the proposal?
 All of the land to the north and east of King Alfreds Way known as the Woodland Walk and the small, wooded area to the west of King Alfreds Way at its southern end. The total area is around 16 hectares.

Q2. Why are you proposing to go down this route now, when previously the Town Council decided not to?
The original decision by the Town Council not to adopt and be responsible for this land was made in 2018 when a different political administration was in charge and had a majority of votes on the Council. The new administration takes a different view.

Q3. Why have you taken a different view?
We see the Woodland Walk as a community asset which will be enjoyed by all residents of Wantage and as such we think it only fair that the cost of its maintenance is shared equally by all and not just the residents of Kingsgrove through your management charge.

Q4. What effect will this have on the management charge levied on me and paid to Priem for their maintenance of the whole estate?
Once adopted by the Town Council that portion of the management charge currently levied on residents for the maintenance of this land will not be charged by them.

Q5. But does this mean our Council Tax will go up instead?
No. That portion of your Council Tax which goes to the Town Council (known as the Parish Precept and which currently stands at £80 per annum for an average Band D property) should not increase as the costs of maintenance broadly equate to the income the Town Council will receive from the Commuted sum St Modwen will pass to the Town Council.

Q6. How much is the Town Council expecting the maintenance costs will be each year?
 We have budgeted a sum of £55,000 per annum from Year 1 increasing with inflation thereafter.

Q7. So, how will this be afforded?
The Town Council will receive a commuted sum from St Modwen and have committed to keeping this capital amount and the income generated by it in an earmarked account solely for the use of the maintenance of the land in question. At the current level of interest rates we have calculated that the income generated from the commuted sum will broadly equate to the budgeted costs. If and when this earmarked income is insufficient to cover the maintenance costs the burden will be covered by the general precept paid by all residents of Wantage.

Q8. If the Town Council are receiving part of the commuted sum from St Modwen does this not mean there will be less available to defray costs for those areas still maintained by the Kingsgrove Management Company?

A8a. No. At present, Priem is able to use up to 5% of the total commuted sum of circa £4.2 million to offset against residents’ management charges per annum. We have agreed, and the Vale of White Horse District Council has consented, that the 5% offset will still be calculated against the original circa £4.2 million, even though some of it will be passed to the Town Council.

A8b. The current legal contract for the commuted sum states that when the whole estate is developed any remaining commuted sum will be passed back to the Vale for affordable housing. So, at this point, there would be no more ability to reclaim the 5% to offset residents’ maintenance charges. Our proposed arrangement allows the Town Council to retain their portion of the commutes sum so this will be available in perpetuity or until such time as it is fully spent.

Q9. What types of maintenance will be undertaken?
 The Town Council will be required to maintain the land in line with the existing Landscape Management Plan. This includes grass cutting, maintenance of trees, paths, trail equipment, benches, fences and the SUDS. We also aim to employ a part time (15 hours per week) grounds person who will be responsible for day-to-day maintenance including litter collection and disposal. Staff at the Town Council offices will deal with any issues raised by residents in respect of the land in question.

Q10. When do you expect this transfer of responsibilities to take place?
We would like to happen as soon as practicably possible but our experience with the adoption and transfer of the allotment site to the Town Council (which is nearly done now!) has demonstrated to us that the legal transfer process can take an inordinately long time. We will be very disappointed were it not completed by the end of the current year.

Please note. These proposals are being brought forward by the Liberal Democrat Group on the Lib Dem Town Council, and any final decision will be subject to formal votes at Town Council meetings. 


Bus Gate on Elder Way FAQ's

Q1. Who decided to install a bus gate at this junction?

A2. It was part of the outline planning permission for the estate from the outset and was a request from the County Council Transport Planners.

Q2. Why was it installed?

A2. We understand that there were 2 main reasons

a) For road safety purposes to reduce the number of vehicles turning right into and out of the estate at the junction. This was before transport planners knew the extent of traffic which would be taken off the A417 by the then planned and now delivered King Alfreds Way.

b) By giving priority to buses it would encourage bus use and reduce the reliance on cars.

Q3. Given how few buses pass the bus gate can answer to 2b) above really be justified? Does it not simply force residents to make longer journeys into and out of the estate and add to congestion and vehicle emissions?

A3. This is a fair point and the purpose of us asking the question is to gauge how many residents are of this opinion.

Q4. If a significant majority of residents are in favour of the bus gate being suspended would this happen?

A4. Not necessarily, as County Council transport planners may still believe it is justified on road safety grounds. But now that King Alfred Way is open and reducing A417 traffic flow at this junction it would be reasonable to ask them to reassess their original position.