19 September 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 19 September 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs M Baines, D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), H Richards, P Swan, and T Wyse (Deputy Chairman)

Officers

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

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Cowell (personal), Dite (personal), Gilbert (personal), and Jones (personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Cllr Swan entered the meeting during this item.

Mr. Rich Henderson spoke as the applicant for planning application P23/S2705/HH – 2 Brook Lane. Responding to economic and environmental changes, the vision is to futureproof and fully insulate the property, whilst being respectful to Thame, immediate neighbours and those who use the footpaths around the house. Consideration has been given to the environmental impact of the build and future energy usage. It was also noted that the property is sunken from the street level and surrounding properties and has a substantial boundary hedge. The proposed extension will sit close to 4 Spring Path; however, they have no windows on the elevation which would face the extension.

St Joseph’s Primary School have concerns regarding the safety of their pupils due to construction vehicles and requested that restrictions be put in place to avoid drop-off / collection times. Would the applicant be willing to comply with these? Mr. Henderson felt this was reasonable to minimise the impact of the build.

What was the choice regarding choice of materials, in particular the ultra-modern design choice? In order to clad and insulate the property, timber was chosen, and consideration was again given to the carbon impact too. The overall design choice was personal preference, as well as taking inspiration from other properties in Thame. The existing property is quite unique in the immediate area.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding planning application P23/S2705/HH.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 22 August 2023 were received.

RESOLVED that:

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 August 2023 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1671 – LAND ADJACENT SEWAGE WORKS, MOOREND LANE – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / AMENDMENT NO.1

Use of part of the land as a permanent aggregate and soil recycling facility, with final restoration of the remaining land to agriculture by regrading already deposited materials. Erection of a new site office and weighbridge, and retention of the surfacing of part of the site with hardcore. (Additional information and amended plans received 21 August 2023)
MW.0163/22

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: ENV3, ENV4
Oxfordshire Minerals & Waste Core Strategy: C3, C5, C7, C8, C10(b), W1, W4

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council continues to object to the application on the following grounds:
1. The development would be contrary to Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (OMWCS) Policies W1 and W4.
2. The proposal would be contrary to OMWCS Policy C10 (b).
3. The proposal would be contrary to OMWCS Policy C5.
4. The proposal is contrary to OMWCS Policy C3 in failing to adequately demonstrate that flood risk would not be increased.
5. The proposal appears contrary to South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) Local Plan 2035 Policy ENV4.
6. The proposal would be contrary to OMWCS Policy C8 and Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy ESDQ16.
7. Potentially failing to satisfy Policy OMWCS C7 and the SODC LP 2035 Policy ENV3 in terms of demonstrating a net gain in biodiversity.

1711 – LAND WEST OF THAME PARK ROAD – AMENDMENT NO.2

To vary the approved plans in order to regularise / retain as built the re-siting of the previously approved allotment building and permissive footpath. The permissive footpath location has been amended from that previously approved to minimise disruption to fauna and flora / avoid the most undergrowth and to also avoid taking the path into the areas that have been known to flood from the stream. The allotment building has been relocated from the previously approved location in order to avoid the HV electric cables. (As amended by plan received 29 August 2023)
P23/S1239/S73

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H7, ESDQ3, ESDQ4, ESDQ9, ESDQ16, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF3, CF5, DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1735 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC, 102 HIGH STREET – AMENDMENT NO.1

Installation of a fascia sign, a projection sign and a menu board. (as amended by plan received 6th September 2023, removing halo lighting from the proposal).
P23/S2109/LB

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ27
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP2, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, EP3, TC5, TH1, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application and has a response:
1. The signage should remove mirror lettering and be replaced with painted lettering, in accordance with recently approved permissions nearby.
2. Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

1736 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC, 102 HIGH STREET – AMENDMENT NO.1

Installation of a new fascia sign, a projection sign and a menu board. (as amended by plan received 6th September 2023, removing halo lighting from the proposal)
P23/S2110/A

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application and has a response:
1. The signage should remove mirror lettering and be replaced with painted lettering, in accordance with recently approved permissions nearby.
2. Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

1767 – 4 THAME PARK ROAD

Single storey rear extension/first floor rear extension.
P23/S2766/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1768 – 27 MONTROSE WAY

Single storey rear/infill extension.
P23/S2753/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1769 – 2 BROOK LANE

Complete refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing house, demolition of existing store room building and conservatory plus new extension to the rear.
P23/S2705/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EP3, H20, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to this application on the following grounds:
1. In failing to respect the amenity and privacy of neighbours the proposal is contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policy DES6 and Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy ESDQ16.
2. The proposal does not heed the South Oxfordshire Design Guide in considering design and materials, and neighbouring amenity.
3. The proposal fails to take account of local character, contrary to LP 2035 Policy DES2 and TNP Policies ESDQ16 and ESDQ17.

1770 – 8 QUEENS CLOSE

Add coloured k-rend to the front of the existing property (as existed before planning application P22/S1924/HH). All new brickwork will remain as described in the planning application P22/S1924/HH.
P23/S2844/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES7, DES8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1773 – 41 CHURCHILL CRESCENT

Demolition of existing single storey outbuilding and provision of new single storey rear extension. Removal of front porch.
P23/S2828/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TC5, TH1

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1774 – 11 BERKELEY ROAD

New two-storey extension to rear of property, replacement pitched roof to existing garage, garage conversion, new porch, and photovoltaic panels installed to roof.
P23/S2825/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS2

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1775 – 58 YOUENS DRIVE

Single storey side/rear extension replacing the existing conservatory.
P23/S2870/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1776 – 20 CHESTNUT AVENUE

Raise the roof height of the existing bungalow to create habitable accommodation at first floor level, proposed single storey side/rear extensions to the existing house, and material/fenestration alterations to the existing house.
P23/S2910/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application plus comment:
1. Subject to the rear extension conforming to the 45 degree rule with respect to number 22 Chestnut Avenue.

1777 – 2 CUTTLE BROOK GARDENS

Insertion of roof-lights in front roof slope.
P23/S2949/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

1778 – 21 COOMBE HILL CRESCENT

Single storey front extension.
P23/S2822/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports this application.

6 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7:27pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 17 October 2023