31 January 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 31 January 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs B Austin, A Dite (Deputy Mayor), M Deacock, D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert, A Midwinter (Deputy Chairman), and T Wyse

Officers

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

Before the meeting started, the Chairman acknowledged the sad news that former Town Councillor, Don Butler, had passed away over the weekend. Cllr Midwinter reminisced when Don was elected Mayor in 1991. He had been a very good Councillor and did an awful lot for Thame, including taking care of the elderly, and involvement in the Evergreen Club and Twinning Association.

1 Apologies for Absence

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

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Midwinter declared an interest in planning application P22/S4537/FUL as a close friend of the applicant and abstained from voting on this item.

Cllr Austin declared an interest in planning application P23/S0120/HH as he knew the applicant and the neighbour who had objected, and abstained from voting on this item.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr. Manoj Parmar spoke as the applicant for planning application P22/S4537/FUL, alongside the architect, Ms. Ala Lloyd. Permission had previously been granted for a 1-storey pavilion, however Mr. Parmar was now seeking a 2½ storey pavilion with floodlights and two cricket fields to enable cricket playing during March, September and October. The enlarged pavilion would enable additional changing rooms to accommodate four cricket teams as well as being of great benefit to the community. Mr Parmar is passionate about increasing the number of people, particularly children, playing cricket, and aspires to be the best cricket academy in the UK.

Members asked whether the floodlights were necessary? Mr. Parmar advised that the floodlights would enable cricket playing for more months of the year, and that the proposals would benefit the community and economy of Thame.

Would other sports be accommodated? At the moment the focus is cricket, however there is space within the site that has been used to accommodate a range of activities for children, and Mr. Parmar is keen to improve partnerships with other groups.

Members expressed concern about the cost associated with such a large building, and the likely timeline for development. Mr. Parmar advised that the pandemic had stopped work on the previous scheme. Funding sources were being explored to finance the new scheme. Subject to planning permission, it was hoped that the works would start at the end of the summer.

Concern was raised regarding the height of the building. It was advised that amended plans had been prepared which removed the third floor, and addressed the concerns raised by Sport England however these were not available for the committee to view.

In terms of access and highways, Mr. Parmar advised he did not own the access track. The footpath to Towersey would be maintained.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding application P22/S4537/FUL.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 20 December 2022 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1669 – 26 HIGH STREET

Removal of existing exhaust duct & replacing with new kitchen exhaust duct and associated works.
P22/S4472/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the Environmental Health Officer.
  - Subject to no objection from the Conservation Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV11, ENV12

1670 – 26 HIGH STREET

Removal of existing exhaust duct & replacing with new kitchen exhaust duct and associated works.
P22/S4473/LB

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the Environmental Health Officer.
  - Subject to no objection from the Conservation Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV11, ENV12

1673 – 35 MORETON LANE

Single storey front extension.
P22/S4497/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1674 – THE PLAYERS THEATRE 3 NELSON STREET

Install PV panels to southwest roof slope of the theatre.
P22/S4501/FUL

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8

1675 – SPORTS GROUND, KINGSEY ROAD

The erection of a 2 1/2 storey cricket pavilion, floodlighting, and associated alterations to parking, turning, landscaping and external works.
P22/S4537/FUL

OBJECTS

- - Contrary to Local Plan Policy ENV1 and TNP Policies ESDQ16 and ESDQ22 due to impact of the buildings and floodlights on the rural setting.
  - Contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policy ENV3 in not offering an assessment of how to ensure a net gain in biodiversity on the site.
  - Contrary to Local Plan Policy CF3 as the proposal is not supported by Sport England.
  - Contrary to Local Plan Policy DES1 vii) as the building and surroundings are not fully accessible.
  - Contrary to TNP Policies ESDQ15, ESDQ17 and ESDQ19 in not producing a Design and Access Statement, and ESDQ27 in failing to provide details of materials.

Members regretted objecting to the proposals, however there were several uncertainties and policy requirements that not been met. It was noted that amended plans were due, and Members hoped to be able to view these more favourably.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ22, ESDQ27
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF3, DES1, ENV1, ENV3

1676 – OAK TREE HOUSE, MORETON LANE

New 4 bay garage.
P22/S4434/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, TRANS5

1677 – 57 HIGH STREET

Single storey rear extension.
P22/S4642/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, H20

1678 – 2 BELL CLOSE

Proposed bi-folding door to replace existing door and window.
P23/S0004/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, H20

1679 – 23 LUDLOW DRIVE

Proposed single-storey front/side extension and open porch.
P22/S4622/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1681 – 18 FANSHAWE ROAD

Proposed First floor side extension, floor plan redesign and all associated works.
P23/S0120/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - A lower ridge line on the extension would be preferred, so that it appears subservient to the main dwelling and protects the amenity of number 4 Fanshawe Road.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1683 – 33 HIGH STREET

Variation of condition 3 (materials) on application P22/S3560/HH (Construction of a single-storey side extension with internal alterations) – to use natural slate roof tiles instead of clay plain tiles as roof pitch is not suitable.
P23/S0206/S73

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, H20

6 Notification of Appeal Hearing Date – APP/Q3115/W/22/3296061

Land North of Moreton Road, Moreton – The erection of five dwellings alongside a new access, landscaping and other associated works (amended site location plan received 20 January 2022)

It was noted that this appeal, which was due to be heard on 8 February 2023 via Microsoft Teams, has been postponed. Officers await to hear a new date. It was also noted that the Town Council does not have anything further to submit beyond its initial written submission.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

Members noted that many residents were awaiting to be connected to Gigaclear, following recent installation works within Thame, and did not have a date for when this would happen. It was understood that residents needed to contact the providers and the delay may be due to the number of new customers.

At the former DAF site development, Members reported that vehicles were parking on and damaging the verge, and construction vehicles were not being washed prior to exiting the site. The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer agreed to investigate the matter and raise with the relevant authorities.

The meeting concluded at 7:19pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 21 February 2023