13 May 2014 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Thame Town Council held on 13 May 2014 at 6.30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall
 
 
Present:
Cllr D Bretherton, D Butler, N Champken-Woods, A Dite, N Dixon, D Dodds,

M Dyer, L Emery, H Fickling, V Humphries, P Lambert (Town Mayor), D Laver, J Matelot Green (Deputy Mayor), M Stiles and M Welply.

Officers

H Stewart, Town Clerk

A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

 
1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Gunn (Holiday).

 
2 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

 
3 Public Participation

Mr Venners of the John Phillips Planning Consultancy thanked the Council for the opportunity to address them regarding planning application P14/S1156/FUL – Angus House, Thame Park Road.  The proposed development comprised 28 one and two bed apartments of which 40% would be affordable.  Currently a brown field site, the development would not only improve the appearance of the site but would improve the gateway to Thame as traffic approached the Town along Thame Park Road.  The good design and proportions of the apartment blocks allowed it to fit in well with the permitted development planned for the Angus House building.  The car park allocation was considered adequate for the proposed number of units and Mr Venners commended the plans to the Council.

 
4 Town Hall Refurbishment

The original quotation had been based on a ground level visual inspection and it had been anticipated that once the scaffold was erected and a closer inspection made there would be a requirement for extra work to be carried out.

The inspection had revealed a number of items that required urgent attention including; structural work to repair, strengthen and re-build two of the arched head windows.  Work to repair and replace rotten windows identified in Appendix 2 of the report.  Additional stonework and the removal of three street light luminaries’ mounted on the sides of the building.  The resource appraisal identified the cost of carrying out the extra work to be £28,373.

RESOLVED that:

i)              The additional work be considered as essential emergency work and that payment be approved from General Reserves.

 
5 P14/S1156/FUL – Angus House, Thame Park Road

Demolition of existing rear wing to Angus House and detached bungalow. Erection of three apartment buildings containing twenty eight 1- and 2-bed dwellings. Alterations to existing parking and hard surfaced areas to provide rearranged parking and circulation. Provision of amenity space, bicycle stores, refuse stores and other works.

RECOMMENDED REFUSAL

  1. Overdevelopment
  2. Scale
  3. Poor Design
  4. Privacy & Outlook
  5. Insufficient Amenity Space
  6. Parking Provision
  7. Impact of Commercial units on the amenities of future occupiers

 
6 Street Name – Angus House Development

The name ‘Fairwood’ had been suggested for the road serving the conversion of Angus House and other conversions and buildings on the site.  Members felt that the proposal of ‘Fairwood’ was not appropriate and that the name should reflect the site’s past usage and the relationship with Angus Fire Armour.

 
The meeting concluded at 6.53pm

Signed ……………………………

Chairman, 24 June 2014