17 May 2016 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 17 May 2016 at 6.30pm In the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present: Cllrs B Austin, D Bretherton, M Deacock, N Dixon (Deputy Mayor), D Dodds,
L Emery (Town Mayor), H Fickling (Chairman), C Jones, A Midwinter (Deputy Chairman) and M Stiles
Officers:
G Hunt, Town Clerk
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Cowell (Business).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Jones declared an interest in item 7a – 7 Griffin Road as a neighbour. Cllr Fickling declared that the applicant’s wife was known to her as an acquaintance reference, The Wychens, 70 Queen’s Road.

The applicant for 4 Hawthorn Crescent was well known to all Councillors and no discussion took place on this on this item.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Taynton, resident of No. 72 Queen’s Road, spoke against Amendment No.1 to planning application P16/S0806/FUL – The Wychens, 70 Queen’s Road. Mr Taynton was concerned that the proposed new dwelling would occupy a larger area on the plot and double the floor space. The scale and bulk of the dwelling, being built on the north eastern part of the plot, would impact on his bungalow and create a feeling of overbearing. The replacement of the existing bungalow with a two storey dwelling failed to respect the form and pattern of development in Queen’s Road. Mr Taynton suggested that ‘flipping’ the design would result in it being less oppressive. Given the objections raised previously and the minor amendments proposed to the scheme he hoped the Council would recommend Refusal.

Mrs Pedley, resident of 70 Queen’s Road, spoke for the application. Mrs Pedley referred to the letter from her husband addressed to the Council explaining the proposed changes to the scheme. The ridge height had been lowered and a hipped roof introduced to the rear of the dwelling. The porch had been removed to the rear to help reduce the scale. Consideration had been given to moving the footprint of the new dwelling towards No. 68 but this would involve the complete removal of the original concrete footings and drainage. The design was based on modern Thame with a high level of sustainability in line with the Thame Neighbourhood Plan and added to the diverse styles and heights of properties in Queen’s Road. Mr & Mrs Pedley recognised that Mr Taynton’s property would be impacted the most by the proposed development and had consulted with him on the plan and would hope to continue to work together.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the meetings held on 26 April 2016 and 10 May 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

9588
P15/S4328/FUL REAR OF 1 & 2 MOATS CRESCENT
Amendment No. 2
Erection of 2 no. two bed bungalows (Supplemented by plans received 05.01.2016 Drawing ref 01 & 02). (Amended by plans MCT 155 2:1 & MCT 155 3:1 to alter appearance of dwellings). (Further amended by plans MCT 156 01/02/03/04 to alter the depth, height and siting of the dwellings within the plot – previous amendments are superseded).
Previously discussed on 26 April 2016.
RECOMMEND NO STRONG VIEWS

9618
P16/S0806/FUL THE WYCHENS, 70 QUEEN’S ROAD
Amendment No. 1
Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of new four bedroom house (as amended by plans received 29 April 2016 reducing height of roof ridge, changing north eastern elevation gable to hipped roof, removing canopy over back door and revising red line of application site and block plan to correctly show relationship of the property to boundaries).
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Unneighbourly
2. Loss of light due to scale and bulk
3. Overdevelopment
4. Out of character with the area

Comment: The Committee regretted the loss of the bungalow as there was already a shortage of that type of dwelling in the town.

9636
P16/S1179/HH 77 ROOKS LANE
Replacement of existing living room window with patio doors.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies:CON5, CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9637
P16/S1226/LB THE BIRD CAGE INN, 4 CORNMARKET
The proposals include installing a new bar erver, relocating the existing kitchen wall and extending an existing internal raised area.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer and provided the removal of the half wall is of no heritage / conservation significance

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON3, CON5, CON7, D1, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9638
P16/S1245/HH 4 GARDEN CITY
Demolition of garage and construction of new single storey extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9639
P16/S1191/HH ROSE COTTAGE, 72 SOUTHERN ROAD
Demolition of existing single storey cloakroom extension and erection of a single storey shower and cloakroom extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9641
P16/S1380/HH 100 WELLINGTON STREET
Two storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9642
P16/S1357/HH 5 HORSESHOES PLACE
Erection of conservatory.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9643
P16/S1418/HH 31 HOLLIERS CLOSE
Single storey side extension with new roof over existing extension and porch.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9644
P16/S1397/FUL 4 HAWTHORN AVENUE
Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of replacement bungalow.
NO COMMENT due to the applicant being well known to the Council

9645
P16/S1410/HH 19 SOUTHERN ROAD
Demolition of rear single storey flat roof extension. Proposed two storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9646
P16/S1411/FUL THE OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHURCH ROAD
Provision of external standby electrical generator within existing fenced enclosure.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer
Subject to noise from the generator being within the accepted levels for a residential area

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON5, CON7, EP2, D1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

6 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – Cllr Stiles apologised that her report had been submitted so close to the meeting. In addition to the report Cllr Stiles stated that bus travellers were confused about when some services would reduce / stop as drivers had reported that the 120/121/123/124 would be stopping in two weeks time whereas the official date published by the County Council was 20 July 2016. The new bus stops in Howland Road continued to cause confusion with the public assuming that buses would stop at them. The Town Council continued to liaise with the Highways Department to ascertain when the bus stops were likely to be brought into service.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

Councillors expressed their satisfaction that the planning application for Bull Lane had been refused permission by the District Planning Authority.

The meeting concluded at 7.07pm

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 7 June 2016