7 April 2026 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 7 April 2026 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs D Dawson, D Dodds, L Emery, A Gilbert (Town Mayor), C Jones, S McGarry (Deputy Chair) and W Wilde.
Officers
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
J Doherty, Committee Services Officer
1) Apologies for Absence
Cllr Baines absent without apology. In the absence of the Chair, the Deputy Chair chaired the meeting.
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 10 March 2026 were received.
RESOLVED that:
i) The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2026 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chair.
5) Planning Applications
a) Members were asked to consider and agree a response for each of the following planning applications:
There were no applications that met the criteria for consideration.
b) Members were asked to receive and comment on the Officer’s recommendations for the following planning applications:
Cllr Dawson arrived during this item.
RESOLVED:
i) To approve the following planning application responses as listed:
2091 121 Chinnor Road
Single storey rear extension to include reconfiguration of existing layout.
P26/S0627/HH
Agreed response: Supports.
2092 11 Overton Drive
Replacement of a small front dormer with a new section of gabled roof and demolition of rear conservatory and construction of a replacement larger rear extension.
P26/S0588/HH
Agreed response: Supports.
2094 20 Pickenfield
Single storey extension to front elevation.
P26/S0634/HH
A Cllr queried if the single-story front extension would alter the street appearance; the NPCO commented that this is very minor and the materials and roof form is in keeping with the building’s design.
Agreed response: Supports.
2099 Land at The Elms
Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) on application ref P14/S2176/FUL – to amend the floor plan of the HA units to ensure they meet NDSS requirements. The erection of 37 dwellings and creation of new public open space, provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian / cycle link on to Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping. P14/S2176/FUL Conditions(s) Condition 2.
P26/S0668/S73
A Cllr asked if the walkway/opening should now be opened as specified in the planning permission, the development, this would relieve pressure on Park Street. The NPCO noted that this is an important matter and will investigate and contact Enforcement if necessary.
Agreed response: Supports.
2104 Part of Upper High Street Car Park Upper High Street
Variation of Condition 1 (change of use for the benefit of another person/s) on application P20/S3949/FUL. Variation of Condition 3 of application P99/N0767/RET (Use for stationing of one mobile van/trailer for retail sale of hot food) – to change the opening times to 17:00 – midnight (Sunday to Thursday (inclusive)); and 17:00 – 01:00 (Friday and Saturday).
P26/S084/S73
The Committee discussed the opening hours for trade; whilst CACC believed that the opening times were excessive; the council are unaware of any concerns with operating hours. The NPCO commented that the planning application is not seeking a change in hours of operation which the applicant is free to trade within.
Agreed response: Supports.
6) Planning Appeal
Noted that the planning appeal for 3 Cornmarket, Thame P24/S1371/FUL was granted on 6 March 2026.
7) Planning and Land Charges services – Software Changes
Noted that there are planned updates to the SODC Planning and Land Charges services which might involve Planning system downtime between 9 – 23 April 2026. The new planning system is expected to be live on 23 or 24 April 2026.
The Committee discussed and agreed to cancel the Planning Committee meeting on 28 April 2026, and for a contingency plan to be sensible, to agree to a temporary delegation for responding to planning applications that are received but cannot be deferred to the 26 May 2026 meeting.
RESOLVED that:
i) To cancel the Planning Committee meeting on 28 April 2026
ii) To delegate any non-deferable planning application responses to the NPCO, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee. Any decisions made under this delegation to be reported to the next Planning Committee on 26 May 2026.
8) For Information
a) Noted the minutes from 1 April 2026 from the Conservation Area Conservation Committee.
b) Lawful Development Applications
Noted the lawful development application at P26/S0712/LDP – 44 Churchill Crescent – Single storey rear extension.
c) Committee Notifications
Noted Thame Town Council’s response to the Management Company consultations and its response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2026.
Noted that planning application P24/S2886/FUL Land North of Rycote Lane, Thame was granted on 1 April 2026 by South Oxfordshire District Council.
d) Telecommunications 28-Day Notice
Noted that permission for P26/S0715/T28 at The Fire Station Nelson Street was granted on 17th March 2026.
The meeting concluded at 6.49pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chair, 26 May 2026