14 January 2020 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 14 January 2020 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs B Austin, C Cowell, M Deacock, A Dite (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), S Francis, A Midwinter and T Wyse
Officers
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services Officer
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Gregory (Personal).
2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
Cllr Emery declared an interest in Planning Application P19/S4651/HH as a committee member of the Chiltern Vale Residents Association. Cllr Deacock also declared an interest in this application as he knew the applicant.
3 Public Participation and Public Questions
Mr Alex Edge spoke as the agent for Unit 5 Goodson Industrial Mews P19/S2720/FUL with regards to agenda item 7b). The Town Council objected to the planning application on its principal, design, amenity and parking arrangements. Mr Edge presented the latest amendments and further justification which he hoped would address these matters.
The principle of residential development on the site had been established and permitted through the 2015 application and the later permitted development scheme. This application could be seen as a mix of the permitted scheme and a full application but better meets the needs of Thame. The current application seeks further improvements to the residential scheme and in response to the Town Council’s comments, such as improving the natural light to the ground floor flats and reducing the overlooking between the first and ground floor flats. The scheme would not be overlooked by Units 6 and 7 as a distance of 35 metres exists between these and unit 5. Mr Edge now believed the application was now in accordance with South Oxfordshire District Council’s Design Guide. The size and number of parking spaces were now compliant with Oxfordshire County Council standards.
Mr Edge concluded by stating that the application and its subsequent amendments sought to deliver a residential scheme on this highly sustainable town centre site, addressing the shortfall of smaller two-bedroom units in the town. The flats would be high quality with useful amenity space, and acceptable levels of lighting, privacy and outlook. The flats would offer an improvement to the visual appearance of the area and enhance the employment of Units 1-4 with improved parking.
Mr Edge then answered a number of questions from Members relating to parking on Wellington Street, sustainability of the proposals and provision of recreational / communal areas. The Chairman thanked Mr Edge for addressing the committee and answering their questions.
4 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2019 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
5 Planning Applications
1215
P19/S4142/HH – 9 MASSEY ROAD – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Rear single storey extension
NO OBJECTIONS plus comment
Subject to the guttering being moved as to not overhang onto the neighbouring property.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D3, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1220
P19/S4503/HH – 31 ROUNDHEAD DRIVE
Proposed single storey rear extension and partial garage conversion.
NO OBJECTIONS plus comment
The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1221
P19/S4440/HH – 25 YOUENS DRIVE
Existing garage converted to living space and single storey extension to the rear of the existing property.
NO OBJECTIONS plus comment
The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1222
P19/S4535/HH – 3 OVERTON DRIVE
Proposed first floor extension. Convert internal garage to living accommodation. Front open porch/canopy over entrance door.
NO OBJECTIONS plus comment
The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1223
P19/S4481/HH – 7 PICKENFIELD
Kitchen extension
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1224
P19/S4624/HH – 56 CHINNOR ROAD
2 storey rear extension.
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1225
P19/S4589/LB – 77 PARK STREET
Improve the thermal insulation quality of the ground floor of the Victorian extension.
NO OBJECTIONS plus comment
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON3, CON5, CON7, D1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1226
P19/S4651/HH – 44 CEDAR CRESCENT
Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of application P19/S0998/HH to allow for alterations to the approved scheme to facilitate provision of first floor accommodation within roof void, an enlargement of approved side extension and changes to existing or approved doors and windows.
OBJECTS
1. Over-development
2. Out of character
3. Unneighbourly
It was noted that the Town Council had received six letters of objection to this application from local residents.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
1227
P19/S4587/FUL – RACQUETS FITNESS CENTRE, NORTH STREET
Provision of A5 (hot food and takeaway) use as part of existing mixed use facility comprising squash courts, gymnasium, restaurant, dining area and bar (retrospective).
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, WS7, WS13, WS14, ESDQ16, ESDQ19
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, EP2, D2, D10, TC8, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEM1, CST1
6 Reports from Town Council Representatives
a) Transport Representative – Cllr Francis reported that the 40 Bus was now operating on the revised route via Kingsey Road. The timetables for the current 280 Bus service had finally been printed. Cllr Austin reported that he regularly saw two 280 buses following each other around the Howland Road loop.
7 For Information
The items for information were noted.
Members noted item 7e) regarding parking issues on the Bellway estate as a result of the recent opening of the gym on Wenman Road, which Oxfordshire County Council and the Town Council objected to on the grounds of insufficient parking. The previous regime at South Oxfordshire District Council had granted planning permission. Members felt that the relevant policy on parking had not been given due consideration by SODC at the time so it was agreed that the Town Council would write to SODC to express their frustration that local residents were now being impacted by the development and this highlighted the importance of adhering to policy and Highways advice in future.
The meeting concluded at 7:09pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 4 February 2020