TNP2 Referendum: We Look Back on the History of Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan

Since July 2013, the Thame Neighbourhood Plan has been used to help guide the District Council in making decisions on the majority of planning applications in Thame and Moreton.

However, a lot has changed since it was first adopted. In 2020, the District’s own Local Plan was adopted, allocating more housing and employment growth for Thame. We have seen the introduction of new planning rights, (e.g. large house extensions), the Town Council has adopted the community-led Green Living Plan – the first in the country – and house prices have risen to levels that many struggle to afford.

That is why in August 2021, the Council decided it was time to review Thame’s Neighbourhood Plan.

First Consultation – Summer 2021

In the Summer of 2021, over 12,000 letters were sent to homes and businesses in Thame, Chinnor, Moreton, and Long Crendon, inviting people to be part of the first consultation. We asked for residents views on the character of the area they live in, the vision and objectives of the first Thame Neighbourhood Plan, initial development site options (which had been identified as suitable by independent consultants who assessed them based on the Plan’s visions and objectives), and other criteria such as flood risk.

Second Consultation – Winter 2021/22

In the second consultation, we asked for residents views on detailed housing and employment site options, and project ideas such as the provision of mobility hubs and greener routes in and around the town.

We received over 1,400 responses from local residents, nearby villages, specialists at the District and County Councils, and local expert groups, such as Cuttle Brook volunteers and national bodies, such as Historic England. We then analysed the consultation responses, which showed overwhelming support for the visions and objectives, informed the selection of the preferred housing and employment sites, and suggested ideas for community projects.

Using the feedback along with evidence studies, the Council drafted a new Neighbourhood Plan – Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 (TNP2). You can read an overview of the plan here.

Third Consultation – Summer 2023

The third consultation focussed on the Draft Plan (Reg.14) – Thame’s housing needs and targets, employment needs, the draft Master-Planning report, and new Thame-specific design codes. Those who took part, gave us their views on preferred sites for housing and employment, the Cattle Market and Town Centre parking, draft policies and projects, the Environmental Report, and the Draft Plan.

2024 – The Plan is Ready for Final Consultation & Examination

After reviewing comments from the third consultation, the Plan was amended, and at Thame’s Full Council on 14 May 2024, the Council agreed to submit the revised Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2) to the District Council for further consultation and examination.

In June 2024, the District Council commenced the final consultation and comments received were sent directly to the independent examiner to judge the Plan against nationally set criteria.

On 28 November 2024, the Independent Examiner recommended that the Plan proceed to referendum.

February 2025 Referendum

On Thursday 6 February 2025, residents will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum for the adoption of Thame’s second Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2).

What is in the Plan?

TNP2 is a 156-page document – a brief outline and links to the full document can be found at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/tnp2

Here are some of the proposals:

  • Like the first Neighbourhood Plan, TNP2 aims to keep Thame as a compact market town with a close relationship with the open countryside around it.
  • Since 2011, the District Council has given Thame the task of finding room for 1,518 homes. The majority have been built or have planning permission. TNP2 has found sites for the remainder and these have been supported as preferred sites by local residents.
  • The Plan recognises that access to and through older parts of the Town needs improving. This includes improving the existing network of walking routes and alleyways.
  • The Plan provides a framework to encourage the provision of new and improved community facilities such as meeting halls and child nurseries.
  • The Plan protects the Cuttle Brook’s green corridor through the Town and open spaces valued by residents and visitors.
  • Nature is also protected with presumptions that existing, established trees and hedgerows be kept and incorporated wherever possible.

What Happens if Thame votes ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

If the majority of people vote ‘YES’…

The plan will become part of South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC) suite of planning policies to help shape and determine planning applications in Thame.

This also means Thame will be granted 5 years’ protection from any large housing development that is not compatible with TNP2.

If the majority of people vote ‘NO’ or the vote is tied…

Planning applications will be decided without reference to the TNP2.

As South Oxfordshire District Council does not have a 5-year supply of housing land, national planning policy and the District’s Local Plan will instruct committees and officers to remove most local controls on housing numbers and sites.

Where can I find out more about the Plan?

To find out more about the plan, visit thametowncouncil.gov.uk/tnp2 or view the video below to find out more about TNP2 – how it was developed and what is included in the plan. 

Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 (TNP2) - Explained
(If the video doesn’t play on your device, it can also be viewed here.)