13 August 2019 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 13 August 2019 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs B Austin, P Cowell (Deputy Mayor), M Deacock, A Dite (Deputy Chairman),
D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), S Francis, K Gregory, A Midwinter (Town Mayor) and T Wyse
Officers
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services Officer
1 Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies.
2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
The Chairman reminded Members that a general dispensation had been granted to all Members allowing them to speak and vote on planning applications relating to Thame Town Council property.
Cllr Midwinter declared an interest in Agenda Item 6 as a resident of Ludsden Grove.
3 Public Participation and Public Questions
Mr Champken-Woods spoke for planning application P19/S2266/FUL. Within days of the Thame and District Day Centre (TDDC) moving in to the new Cricket Pavilion the freezer had overheated and broken. The freezer breaking had resulted in the loss of £150 worth of food plus the cost of replacing the freezer. TDDC have sought advice from Ridge & Partners who have established that air conditioning would be required in order to keep the room below 22oC. The room temperature during the recent hot weather had reached 38oC. The chosen a/c unit was small, ‘ozone friendly’ and would not generate any more noise than a domestic freezer.
A question was raised as to whether the units could be powered through the solar panels which the cricket club hoped to install. Mr Champken-Woods advised that the Day Centre were in discussions with the Cricket Club about this and options were being explored to share the capital cost of installing.
The Committee then discussed and agreed a recommendation on P19/S2266/FUL.
The Chairman introduced Mr Stevens, the applicant for P19/S2226/FUL, who was available answer any questions on the application. A question was raised as to whether the land could be reverted back to agricultural use? Mr Stevens advised that the structures were not permanent and would not require power cables to be installed as they would be solar powered. A question was raised about how the huts would access drinking water? The huts would be provided with bottled water for drinking and tanked water, which would be regularly treated, for showers etc. The applicant was asked whether there were any plans for expansion? The applicant advised that as this was a new venture to diversify the farm he was unsure, however the hut location had been chosen so that they were setback and not visible from the road which presented an ideal spot. Members noted that the shepherd huts looked wonderful and had a nice design.
The Committee then discussed and agreed a recommendation on P19/S2226/FUL.
Mr Collinge, the agent for P19/S2231/FUL, explained that the application was not to change the use of the premises as it had been used as mixed use with a takeaway for quite a while. The application was to regularise what the business is currently used as. The tenant of the building had applied for a full application as they could not locate the previous occupiers licence application. Members did not have any questions but thanks were given to Mr Atalay, the tenant, for running a great business in the town.
The Committee then discussed and agreed a recommendation on P19/S2231/FUL.
4 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2019 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
5 Planning Applications
1170
P19/S2203/HH – 75 PARK STREET
Single storey rear extension, first floor extension; add pitched roof in lieu of flat on rear elevation; internal alterations.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3
1171
P19/S2226/FUL – LAND NEAR THE OLD DAIRY BETWEEN MORETON AND TETSWORTH
Change of use agricultural land to allow the siting of two shepherd huts for holiday letting purposes and associated infrastructure.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the County Highways Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G2, G4, G6, C1, EP2, D1, D2, D4, D10, H18, EP3, T1, T2, TSM1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ2, CSQ3, CSEM1
1172
P19/S2261/FUL – MEADOW VIEW PARK, THAME FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP
Creation of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with associated floodlighting, perimeter fencing and maintenance storage container at Thame Football Club. Plus floodlighting, spectator stands and macadam pathways to an existing natural turf pitch. Plus spectator stands, turnstile and mobile toilet block within the main stadium.
FULLY SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: CLW1, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ22
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, EP2, EP8, D1, D10, H13, R2, EP3
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ2, CSQ3
1173
P19/S2266/FUL – THAME CRICKET CLUB, CHURCH ROAD
Installation of a 2.5kwh air conditioning system including an internal cassette unit and an external condensing unit.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON5, CON7, EP2, D1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3
1175
P19/S2231/FUL – 8 SWAN WALK
Use of premises for mixed A3 (Food and Drink) and A5 (Hot Food Takeaway) purposes.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, WS7, ESDQ16, ESDQ19
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D10, TC8
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CST1, CSEN3
1176
P19/S2210/LB – THE OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHURCH ROAD
Installation of air conditioning units to five internal rooms with two external condensers including retrospective application for two existing condensers.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON3, CON5, CON7, EP2, D1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3
1177
P19/S2311/HH – GARDEN HOUSE, 15C HIGH STREET
Increase the ridge height to create a 1 and a half storey dwelling.
NO OBJECTIONS PLUS COMMENT
Subject to no objections from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, C1, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, D4, H13, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3
6 Parking Restrictions on Ludsden Grove spur roads
Mr Champken-Woods spoke in support of the implementation of parking restrictions on Ludsden Grove spur roads. Residents had been in discussions with Oxfordshire County Council for many years on the matter but recently OCC have agreed that the width of the spur roads is too narrow and below the legally required width. This causes access problems for bin lorries, emergency vehicles and the residents of the affected roads as shown in the photographs in the report. Vehicles also park on the pavement which leads to the breakdown of the pavement and issues for people with wheelchairs or pushchairs. OCC require support from the residents and Thame Town Council before proceeding.
A question was raised as to who was parking here? Mr Champken-Woods explained that it wasn’t residents, but people who were visiting the town usually for 1-2 hours. A concern was raised that there were few other roads so narrow, that may set a precedent for other areas of the town which have parking issues, however the feeling was that this particular parking issue was ludicrous and dangerous and needed solving. Another concern was raised about enforcement however Cllr Midwinter, a resident of Ludsden Grove, said it would enable residents to report the issue to the police, whereas at the moment they cannot legally take any action.
RESOLVED that:
i) The Town Council supports the implementation of parking restrictions on the two narrow spur roads at the southern end of Ludsden Grove.
7 Reports from Town Council Representatives
a) Transport Representative – Cllr Francis reported that she will continue to chase the bus companies regarding the lack of timetable provision on the bus shelters on Churchill Crescent.
8 For Information
The items for information were noted.
Members noted the email from the applicant of P18/S3162/FUL (Amendment No.2) but felt the amendments would not change the committee’s recommendation to object.
The meeting concluded at 7:07pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 3 September 2019