Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 (2025-present)

The Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 became part of the Development Plan on 6 February 2025 and carries full weight in the determination of planning applications. This plan replaces the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

 Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2

Neighbourhood Plan Documents

Thame Neighbourhood Plan 1

The Making of Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2

Latest Thame Neighbourhood Plan News

Background documents

What is Neighbourhood Planning?

Neighbourhood planning was introduced under the Localism Act 2011 to give local communities more control in the planning of their neighbourhoods. A neighbourhood development plan, known as a neighbourhood plan, is written by local people, ‘made’ or adopted by the district council and becomes part of the development plan, which helps to decide planning applications. It takes national planning policy and guidance into account and is ‘in general conformity’ with the district’s planning policy. Neighbourhood Plans give new rights and powers to local communities to help shape new development in their area. 

Neighbourhood Plans also enable communities to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and deliver the sustainable development they need through planning policies relating to the development and use of land.

Thame Town Council and Neighbourhood Planning

When local communities were given legal powers to develop Neighbourhood Plans, Thame was one of the first towns in the country to embrace the initiative. The people of Thame recognised that without such a plan, Thame could look very different.
 
Both the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and the Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 were developed by the community for the community, who decided its main aim should be to make sure that Thame maintains its character as a real market town.
 
Thame Town Council’s role was to facilitate community involvement, collate feedback, deal with legalities, and prepare the documentation in readiness for consultation and examination.

Successes of the first TNP

Thame’s original Neighbourhood Plan was a success! The award winning plan has been widely praised for getting much right, first time. Among its successes are:
  • new employment and job opportunities
  • well designed and well linked housing estates
  • delivery of new pathways and open spaces
  • money sourced from developers towards the Town’s infrastructure, e.g. new and improved sport and leisure facilities

What changed?

Following the creation of the first Neighbourhood Plan there were significant changes, including:
  • The District’s own Local Plan was adopted in December 2020 and allocated more housing and employment growth for Thame
  • Introduction of new planning rights, e.g. large house extensions
  • Climate and environmental emergencies being declared
  • The Town Council has adopted the community-led Green Living Plan, the first in the Country
  • House prices rising to levels that many struggle to afford

Why we needed a new Neighbourhood Plan

Thame’s original Neighbourhood Plan was out of date on some matters like housing needs. Local employers struggled to find space to expand their businesses and are worried about what new Government regulations will mean for our highly successful High Street. Local residents were concerned about issues such as our footpaths and cycleways, and protecting their homes from more intense rainfall.