17 September 2024 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 17 September 2024 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs M Baines (Deputy Chairman), D Dawson (Deputy Town Mayor), D Dodds, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert (Town Mayor), S McGarry, H Richards and P Swan

Officers

M Sturdy, Town Clerk
B Reid, Environmental Project Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer

 

1) Apologies for Absence

The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer sent his apologies.

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

RESOLVED:

  1. To accept the apologies and reason given from Cllrs Emery (personal) and Jones (personal).

 

2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

 

3) Public Participation and Public Questions

The agent for planning application P24/S2725/HH – 22 Nelson Street spoke in support. The proposals would be discreetly positioned. Nelson Street is characterised by a range of styles, and the proposals will use high quality materials to complement the original building and street scene.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding planning application P24/S2725/HH.

 

4) Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 20 August 2024 were received.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2024 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

 

5) Travel Plan Working Group

The report was noted. The Travel Plan Working Group (TPWG) had been convened to look at travel in Thame, develop a travel plan, explore a Hopper Bus, and support a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Following a review, it was agreed that working groups needed to have a greater focus, hence the proposal to disband the TPWG and replace it with two separate and purposeful groups: a Community Bus Working Group and a LCWIP Working Group. These groups would be disbanded once the best outcome for Thame is achieved.

Consultations relating bus services would fall under the remit of the Planning Committee.

RESOLVED:

  1. To approve the Terms of Reference for The Community Bus Working Group.
  2. To approve the Terms of Reference for the newly formed LCWIP Working Group.

The committee were asked to comment on Buckinghamshire’s LCWIP consultation. The Haddenham-Thame connection is rated high priority, and the Thame-Long Crendon connection is rated medium priority. The committee fully support both of these connections, noting Thame as an economic centre for surrounding villages. Sustainable travel options connecting Thame to these villages would increase employment opportunities for those where driving is not accessible. It was agreed that the Environmental Project Officer would submit a response.

 

6) Consultation – Subsidised bus service contracts terminating in March 2025

Oxfordshire County Council are seeking views on current and potential future provision of bus services in advance of the procurement (March 2025) of the new contracts for the 126 and 127 bus services currently serving Thame.

It was suggested that views be sought from users of the bus services, as well as from parishes along the route. It was felt that the current timetable gave users limited time in Thame, despite being marketed as a ‘shopping service bus’. It was agreed that the Environmental Project Officer would submit a response.

 

7) Planning Applications

a) Members were asked to consider and agree a response for each of the following planning applications:

1897 – 58 CEDAR CRESCENT

Single storey side and rear extension.
P24/S2571/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, H20, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2571/HH.

 

1900 – 34 ASTLEY ROAD

First floor extension to the front elevation above the existing ground floor extension to provide a second bedroom. General repair works to replace all timber cladding to the first floor with a new timber effect cladding.
P24/S2141/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2141/HH.
    1. Subject to the 45 degree test for the windows serving 32 Astley Road’s habitable rooms.

Cllr Richards entered the meeting.

 

1901 – 22 NELSON STREET

Proposed two storey rear & side extension.
P24/S2725/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, H20

A motion to object to the planning application as per the officer recommendation was proposed and seconded however it fell on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council has no objections to planning application P24/S2725/HH.

 

b) Members were asked to receive and comment on the Officer’s recommendations for the following planning applications:

1895 – 16 HENRIETTA ROAD

Demolish existing porch. Construct single storey front extension including open porch, reposition main entrance door and alter window opening to front and add high level side window.
P24/S2644/HH

Agreed response: Supports

 

1896 – 5 SOUTHERN ROAD

Replacement of existing skylight windows/glass tiles with conservation roof lights. Removal of wooden cladding on right hand side of property to be replaced like for like.
P24/S2632/LB

Agreed response: Supports subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

1898 – 2 CHURCH ROAD

Single-storey rear extension, internal alterations, and partial conversion of the existing outbuilding.
P24/S2678/HH

Agreed response: Supports subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

1899 – 2 CHURCH ROAD

Single-storey rear extension, internal alterations, and partial conversion of the existing outbuilding.
P24/S2679/LB

Agreed response: Supports subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

8) For Information

The items for information were noted.

The committee was pleased to see that the Inspector had agreed with the District Council and dismissed the appeal at 6 Aylesbury Road.

Regarding the decision on 20mph, Officers will contact the County Council to understand the reason to exclude Chinnor Road and Aylesbury Road from the 20mph scheme. The decision to include Oxford Road was in part a result of a Lord Williams’s School student speaking at the County Council meeting in support. It was noted that 20mph signage has been installed in Moreton. There was some discussion as to how the new speed limits would be enforced. Data is available on the ’20 is plenty’ website.

The meeting concluded at 7:09pm.

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 15 October 2024