09 April 2024 – Minutes (draft)
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 9 April 2024 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs P Cowell, A Dite (Town Mayor), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert (Deputy Mayor), C Jones, H Richards, and P Swan
Officers
M Sturdy, Town Clerk
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer
1) Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Baines (personal).
2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
Cllr Dodds declared an interest in Item 7 – Thame Fields and left the meeting for the discussion and vote 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 12 March 2024 were received.
RESOLVED that:
- The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2024 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
5) Planning Applications
a) Applications to consider:
1837 – UNIT 8, GOODSON INDUSTRIAL MEWS, WELLINGTON STREET – EMAIL FROM CASE OFFICER
Change of use of existing storage/light industrial unit from B8 to E(D).(Email received from case officer 27.3.24)
P24/S0433/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS7, WS12, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP3, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council maintains its objection to planning application P24/S0433/FUL and continues to regret the loss of employment.
1855 – RECTORY PAVILLION, CHINNOR RUGBY CLUB, KINGSEY ROAD
Installation of semi-permanent food service container.
P24/S0875/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF4, DES1, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP6, ENV1, ENV12, EP3, INF1, TRANS5
Some Members felt this was likely to operate at least partially as a takeaway, acknowledged the risk of the site becoming more mixed use, and the potential impact on the town centre. However, it was also noted that the Town Council should support the growth of the Chinnor Rugby Club and the potential benefits this could bring to Thame, also noting that the site already provides a range a facilities in addition to sport and that it has good parking. Members agreed that additional information from the applicant regarding their operational hours and arrangements would have been beneficial.
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S0875/FUL.
1857 – 95A HIGH STREET
Replacement windows to first and second floors and replacement roof window to second floor.
P24/S0860/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS8, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S0860/FUL:
- Subject to no objection from the District Heritage Officer.
1858 – NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY, 99 HIGH STREET
Replacement of signage as follows; a projecting sign with a new 500mm fascia and a logo with a new blue fascia & a new 290mm logo height, an ATM surround and decals with new statutory signage with new safety manifestation with new decoration to shopfront frames in grey to match existing. Post box number to be sprayed in grey. Removal of receipt bin.
P24/S0888/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, TC5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S0888/FUL:
- The committee regret the use of non-traditional materials.
1859 – NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY, 99 HIGH STREET
Replacement of signage as follows; a projecting sign with a new 500mm fascia and a logo with a new blue fascia & a new 290mm logo height, an ATM surround and decals with new statutory signage.
P24/S0889/A
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, TC5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S0888/FUL:
- The committee regret the use of non-traditional materials.
1860 – FOUR SEASONS, MORETON
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of a replacement dwelling with access, parking and amenity space.
P24/S0711/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF4, DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, EP3, H3, H12, H16, H18, H20, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S0711/FUL:
- Subject to satisfactory arrangements for bin and bicycle storage being confirmed in line with Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy ESDQ27.
- Subject to a condition requiring materials to be approved by the District Council prior to demolition of the existing dwelling.
b) Applications to receive and approve the Officer’s recommendations for:
1854 – 3 THAME PARK ROAD
Demolition of rear conservatory, replacement with single storey rear extension and garage conversion.
P24/S0739/HH
Officer recommendation: Support
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council approves the Officer recommendations as listed under Item 5b.
Cllr Dodds left the meeting.
6) Amended Plans – P23/S2269/RM – Thame Fields, Reserve Site C
Reserved Matters application seeking approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to Condition 1 of planning permission P21/S0917/O. (As amended & amplified by information received 26 September 2023, 29 November 2023, 6 February 2024 and 28 March 2024).
It was noted that the provision of play space was poor.
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council delegates the Town Council’s response on the latest amendment to the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer.
It was noted that there are outstanding issues, such as unfinished footpaths and allotments, on several of new housing sites. Can anything be done to progress these? The Town Council continues to work with the District Council, but unfortunately the developers are not yet ready to handover.
7) Travel Plan Working Group
Following the recent public consultation events on a community bus service, an online version of the questions is available until mid-April. Next steps will be to evaluate the feedback. A meeting has been scheduled with Wantage Town Council who are undertaking a similar project. Nationally, lots of local councils are trying to fill the gaps in the bus service provision. The application for the CIO unfortunately had been successful and the Clerk is currently reviewing feedback form the Charity Commision. Two members of Thame Green Living are working with residents in Haddenham to apply pressure on the Haddenham-Thame Greenway, include publicity campaigns and petitions ahead of the general election, and will be meeting with the Travel Plan Working Group.
8) Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) – Oxford Aviation Services Limited – ACP-2023-033
It was noted that:
- The Town Council has been consulted on the Design Principles (Stage 1, Step B) consultation by Oxford Aviation Services Limited as a stakeholder within 20miles of London Oxford Airport.
- The consultation is a preliminary consultation focusing on criteria, best practice and legislative requirements. Officers have reviewed the information and at this stage there is little to comment on, but future consultations will warrant input from the Town Council as the ACP is likely to impact on Thame.
- Officers recommend that the following comment be made: “Thank you for informing Thame Town Council. We have no wish to comment on the assessment criteria, please keep in contact with us on this matter”.
9) For Information
The items for information were noted.
The meeting concluded at 7:20pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 7 May 2024