06 May 2025 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 6 May 2025 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs M Baines (Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, C Jones, S McGarry (Deputy Chairman), H Richards and P Swan
Officers
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer
1) Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Dawson (personal).
Cllr Gilbert was absent without apology.
2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
There were no declarations of interest.
3) Public Participation and Public Questions
There was no public participation.
There were no public questions put to the Committee.
4) Minutes
The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 8 April 2025 were received.
RESOLVED that:
- The minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2025 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
5) Planning Applications
a) Members were asked to consider and agree a response for each of the following planning applications:
1975 – Waitrose Ltd, Greyhound Lane
2 x fascia signs, 23 x panel signs, 3 x vinyl signs.
P25/S0624/A
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GDR2, CPQ1, CPQ2, CPQ3
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, TC5
RESOLVED:
- To object to planning application P25/S0624/A:
- The proposed use of internally illuminated signage is inappropriate in the Thame Conservation Area. This would be contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policies DES2, ENV6, ENV8 and TNP2 Policies CPQ1 and CPQ3.
- The proposed illuminated signage on the north elevation will be overlooked by lounge windows serving the adjacent Yeats Lodge. This would cause harm to residential amenity contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policy DES6.
- To comment: It is noted that the main signage has not been illuminated since the store was built. Highway signage such as that on the Aylesbury Road, North Street and Bell Lane already advises visitors to both the shop’s function and location.
1980 – Trafalgar House, 1 Nelson Street (Thame Dental Care)
Erection of four illuminated and non-illuminated signs to the exterior of the building. Including double sided pictorial with vinyl detailing and new linolites, panel sign with vinyl detailing, fascia panel with vinyl detailing and panel sign with vinyl detailing.
P25/S1092/A
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GDR2, CPQ1, CPQ2, CPQ3
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, TC5
RESOLVED:
- To object to planning application P25/S1092/A:
- The size of the proposed signs would neither conserve nor enhance the Thame Conservation Area. The proposed illumination of the hanging sign is not justified or appropriate on this property in the Conservation Area.
- The proposal is, therefore, contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2) Policies CPQ1 and CPQ3 and guidance from the Joint Design Guide, Thame Design Code and Thame Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Local Plan Policies ENV6 and ENV8.
1984 – Avon House, 82 Wellington Street
Construction of a replacement roof, new communal stair extension and conversion of resultant buildings into 2 x 1 bed and 2 x 2 bed flats.
P25/S1204/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GDH1, GDH2, GDR2, CPQ1, CPQ3, CPQ5, GAAT1, GAM1
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP3, ENV5, ENV6, ENV8, EP3, H3, H9, H11, H16, H20, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
RESOLVED:
- To support planning application P25/S1204/FUL:
- Opportunities should be sought to provide external amenity space within the “excess” parking spaces.
- The opinion of the District Council is sought on whether it would be appropriate to seek proof the building has been marketed for employment uses in line with 2035 Local Plan Policy EMP3.
- Support is subject to the approval of the OCC Highways Team.
- Concern is raised at the proposal to use a third-party waste contractor and the implications of this on the District/County Councils recycling targets and policy, and unfair costs to future occupiers who will pay for waste collection through their council tax plus the likely additional cost for the third-party contractor.
b) Members were asked to receive and comment on the Officer’s recommendations for the following planning applications:
1974 – 38 Chinnor Road
Removal of existing conservatory and side porch. Erection of single storey rear extension, covered side walkway and rear pergola.
P25/S0907/HH
Agreed response: Supports
1976 – 7 Elton Field
Formation of habitable room in roofspace with front and rear rooflights.
P25/S1030/HH
Agreed response: Supports
1977 – 22 Whittle Road
Single storey side & rear extension.
P25/S1064/HH
Agreed response: Supports
1978 – 1 Cuttle Brook Gardens
Proposed single storey rear extension to form open planned living space, loft conversion, installation of front/rear rooflights and replacement of doors/windows.
P25/S1135/HH
Agreed response: Supports
1979 – 100 Wellington Street
Single storey front extension.
P25/S0982/HH
Agreed response: Supports
1982 – Land adj to the Old Vicarage Priest End
Construction of a fish refuge backwater and connected pond/wetland area.
P25/S1201/AG
Agreed response: Supports
1983 – 27 Ludsden Grove
Single storey side and rear extension
P25/S1205/HH
Agreed response: Supports
6) Appeal – APP/Q3115/W/25/3364282 – 3 Cornmarket
P24/S1371/FUL – Installation of two AC condensers and a cold store unit, to be located on rear elevation facing rear yard; Installation of a vent outlet, to be installed on rear elevation facing yard. (As amended and amplified by information received 10 June 2024 and as amplified by additional information received 14 October 2024 & 02 January 2025).
It was noted that an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State against South Oxfordshire District Council’s decision to refuse the above planning application.
The appeal will be determined on the basis of written representations. All representations must be received by 28 May 2025.
The committee considered whether to submit a written representation in addition to the Town Council’s response made on 25 June 2024 to object to the planning application.
Since the original response was made, the Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 (TNP2) has been adopted and its policies have full weight.
Over the last year, The Shambles area has become increasingly neglected with increased refuse, weeds and parking issues, which may negatively impact the character value the Planning Inspector gives to this historically significant area. The Town Council aspires to bring the relevant parties together to discuss land ownership and maintenance, however has limited resources. Any action would be for the full council to decide.
It was agreed that the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer would submit additional comments to the appeal with regards to the adopted TNP2 Design Codes.
7) Contrary Decisions 2024-25
The committee noted the report on planning decisions issued between 30 April 2024 and 28 April 2025 which were contrary to the Town Council’s recommendation.
8) Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) Working Group
It was noted that further to discussions at the previous committee meeting, the Environmental Project Officer has emailed this committee with clarification on the LCWIP work to date. A report will be brought to this committee following further progress.
9) For Information
The items for information were noted.
Item 9b – It was noted that the application had been significantly amended and although the Town Council had not been consulted on the amendments, they greatly improved the scheme and were likely to have removed the Town Council’s objections.
Item 9g – It was noted that the Town Council had been advised that the planning application P24/S2886/FUL had been withdrawn from the District’s upcoming Planning Committee.
The meeting concluded at 6:55pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 3 June 2025