26 August 2025 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 26 August 2025 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs M Baines (Chairman), C Jones, S McGarry (Deputy Chairman) and W Wilde

Officers

G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer

 

1) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Dawson (personal) and Gilbert (personal).

Cllr Dodds was absent without apology.

RESOLVED:

  1. To accept the apologies and reason given from Cllrs Dawson (personal), Emery (personal) and Gilbert (personal).

 

2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

A dispensation is in place for the Town Council to discuss and vote on planning applications where the Town Council is the applicant and/or landowner which relates to planning applications P25/S2350/LB and P25/S1979/FUL.

Cllr Jones declared an interest in planning application P25/S1979/FUL as the council representative for and a volunteer with Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve. A dispensation is in place for council representatives on external organisations.  Being a volunteer is not a pecuniary interest and it did not preclude Cllr Jones from debating or voting on this item.

 

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 29 July 2025 were received.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 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:

2013 – 28 Towersey Drive

Detached single storey family room to replace detached single storey garage.
P25/S2074/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: CPQ1
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES7, DES8

RESOLVED:

  1. To object to planning application P25/S2704/HH:
    1. The proposed development would introduce a built form and materials that are out of character in the street scene, contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2) Policy CPQ1 and Local Plan 2035 Policies DES1 and DES2.
    2. The proposed outbuilding is not sufficiently subservient to the main dwelling and would have an undue impact on the street scene, contrary to the District Council’s Joint Design Guide (paragraph 5.56). Similarly, the location of the proposed development would emphasise the narrow rear accesses either side of it and risk introducing a terracing effect within the street scene.
2016 – Town Hall, High Street

To install acoustic panels to the ceiling and walls of the Upper Chamber at the Town Hall.
P25/S2350/LB

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: CPQ1, CPQ5, SFO1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF1, DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

RESOLVED:

  1. To support planning application P25/S2350/LB:
    1. Subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.
2019 – Roots for Life Day Nursery School, 46b North Street

Two-storey front extension & single-storey side extension with reconfiguration of entrance.
P25/S2307/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GDR1, GDR2, CPQ1, CPQ2, CPQ3, CPQ5, SFO1, GAAT1, GAPT1, GAM1, GATCP1
SODC Local Plan Policies:  CF1, CF2, DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP3, EP3, H20, INF1, TRANS5

RESOLVED:

  1. To support planning application P25/S2307/FUL with the following comments:
    1. The bicycle parking provision does not comply with Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy GAAT1. As proposed, the quantum of bicycle parking provision appears inadequate and would risk blocking an emergency exit.
    2. Before its use changed to a day nursery the site was used for storage with ancillary office space, associated with building contractors / a builder’s depot. These uses plus and last relevant permission on the site (P81/N0299/RM) would suggest this is primarily a B8, or Sui Generis use.  The Town Council requests the District Council consider if regularisation of the nursery use is in the public interest.
2020 – Cuttle Brook Local Nature Reserve, Oxford Road

Application for two scrapes (shallow ponds) the placement of arising spoil within the Cuttle Brook Local Nature Reserve (retrospective).
P25/S1979/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: CPQ1, SFO2, NEB1, NEC1, NEF1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF4, DES6, DES7, ENV1

RESOLVED:

  1. To support planning application P25/S1979/FUL:
    1. The application and works are in conformity with Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy NEC1 in both retaining and enhancing the natural environment and landscape character of the corridor and conserving and enhancing biodiversity.

 

b) Members were asked to receive and comment on the Officer’s recommendations for the following planning applications:

RESOLVED:

  1. To approve the following planning application responses as listed:
2012 – 15 Nelson Street

Replace existing conservatory roof and frames with solid roof and new frames only.
P25/S2186/HH

Agreed response: Supports

2014 – 15 Montrose Way

Part single part two storey side extension.
P25/S2233/HH

Agreed response: Supports

2017 – 38 Onslow Drive

Rear single storey extension, conversion/extension of garage, open porch and other associated alterations.
P25/S2291/HH

Agreed response: Supports

 

6) Pre-Application Consultation – Proposed Upgrade to Existing Base Station Installation at Chinnor Rugby Football Club, Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL

The committee had no comments on the pre-application application.

 

7) Letter received in relation to Planning Application P25/S1828/FUL – Land to east of Chinnor Road, Towersey

Proposed erection of a pair of semi-detached and two detached two storey dwellings with associated amenity space and parking / turning provision. Repositioning and widening of existing vehicular access from Chinnor Road.

The committee noted the correspondence in relation to the above planning application and Towersey’s Neighbourhood Plan.

The committee commended Towersey Parish Council’s response and will watch the application with interest.

 

8) For Information

The items for information were noted.

The committee noted the new signage on the entrance to Greyhound Walk (Waitrose) and Robert Dyas which do not have permission. A suggestion was made to write a letter to town centre businesses reminding them of the planning policy and procedures regarding advertisements and illumination in the conservation area.

There was discussion regarding the Co-Op. The start date is unknown. There will be conditions assigned to the application which will include a construction management plan and access.

It was noted that the District Council does not use apostrophes on street names on the advice of Royal Mail.

 

The meeting concluded at 7pm.

 

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 23 September 2025