12 November 2024 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 12 November 2024 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

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

Officers

M Sturdy, Town Clerk
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer

Thame Town Council is shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of Councillor Helena Fickling who passed away on Sunday 10 November 2024.

Cllr Fickling had been Chair of this committee for over 11 years and a Town Councillor since 2011.

The Deputy Chairman and Committee Services & Processes Officer paid tribute to Cllr Fickling.

A minute’s silence was held in her memory.

Deputy Chairman, Cllr Baines, chaired the meeting.

1) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Jones (personal).

RESOLVED:

To accept the apologies and reason given from Cllr Jones (personal).

2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

3) Public Participation and Public Questions

Three residents from North Street all spoke against planning application P24/S3220/FUL at 6a North Street. The grounds for objection are:

The relationship between the proposed dwelling and existing properties on North Street, the latter being on land 1.5-2metres below land on the proposed site.
Loss of privacy – particularly for numbers 13 to 17/18 North Street. The proposed planting will be insufficient.
Loss of light – the proposed dwelling will be twice the footprint of the existing dwelling, and its roof height will sit 6.5metres above ground level on ground higher than existing properties on North Street resulting in overshadowing. There should be an impact assessment of light.
Impact on dark skies – The proposal would introduce light pollution where there currently is none.
Impact on the Conservation Area – The proposals do not respect the area or the neighbouring listed buildings.
Access and parking – Insufficient parking and turning area, and vehicle access to the offices at Saracen’s Head will be impacted by construction traffic.

Members asked about the amount of loss of light. The residents advised it was difficult to quantify based on the available plans but expected that during the winter months the loss of light could be significant based on the current dwelling.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding planning application P24/S3220/FUL.

4) Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 15 October 2024 were received.

RESOLVED that:

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

5) Community Bus Working Group

The report was noted.

6) Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) Working Group

It was noted that initial LCWIP consultation had concluded. The next OCC Steering Group meeting will take place on 21 November 2024, where they will share their findings and outline the next steps.

7) Joint Local Plan 2041 – Consultation

The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer (NPCO) had prepared a briefing note and recommended responses to the Joint Local Plan 2041 Consultation, where the proposed policies may impact Thame. Whilst overall there are many policies to be supported, some require clarification. The NPCO advised commenting on matters regarding brownfield sites, the strategy for Thame, affordable housing and workspace, and neighbouring amenity.

RESOLVED:

To approve that the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer submits the Town Council’s response to the Joint Local Plan 2041 Consultation as per the briefing note.

8) Planning Applications

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

1911 – 27 Upper High Street

Variation of condition 2 on P18/S2564/FUL (Change of use from A1 to mixed used A1 and A3) – for the extension of opening hours from 8:30am – 6pm Monday to Saturday to new proposed hours of 7:30am – 6pm Monday – Saturday.
P24/S3078/S73

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, WS13, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP2, EMP3, ENV6, ENV8, ENV11, ENV12, EP3, TC5

RESOLVED:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S3078/S73:
1. Subject to no objection from Environmental Protection.
2. A separate application for the signage should be submitted.

1917 – 6a North Street

Demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of a replacement dwelling with associated parking and amenity space provision – self and custom build.
P24/S3220/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, EP3, H12, H18, H20, TC5, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5

The Officer recommendation was to support subject to several conditions including confirmation that the ridge line complies with the 25-degree rule.

Members felt that in the absence of evidence that the proposal would not harm neighbouring amenity, the proposal could not be supported.

RESOLVED:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P24/S3220/FUL:
1. Insufficient evidence the proposed development will not result in a loss of light.
2. Insufficient parking.

1921 – 46 Chinnor Road

Proposed granny annex extension for ancillary use of main dwelling with associated internal and external works.
P24/S2577HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EP3, H12, H16, H20, INF1, TRANS5

RESOLVED:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P24/S2577/HH:
1. The building is self-contained and fronts onto a separate pedestrian and vehicle access. It is considered a separate dwelling.

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

RESOLVED:

To approve the planning application recommendations as below.

1912 – 131 Chinnor Road

Erection of new garden building to create workshop / storage space and home office / library.
P24/S3214/HH

Agreed response: Supports subject to no trees being removed, as stated in the application.

1913 – 133 Chinnor Road

Erection of new garden building to create family gym and play room for disabled child.
P24/S3213/HH

Agreed response: Supports subject to no trees being removed, as stated in the application.

1916 – 25 Wentworth Road

Conversion of garage to habitable space and single storey rear extension.
P24/S3186/HH

Agreed response: Supports, regretting the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

1918 – 17 Chestnut Avenue

Single storey rear extension
P24/S3233/HH

Agreed response: Supports

1920 – 83 Corbetts Way

Proposed single-storey rear extension and garage conversion.
P24/S3419/HH

Agreed response: Supports, subject to compliance with the SODC Joint Design Guide. The loss of the garage for its original purpose is regrettable.

1922 – 1 Priest End

Proposed change of specification from lath and plaster to plasterboard in areas of construction only. Change of lath and plaster to lime carrier/ wood fibre board to historic areas.
P24/S3469/LB

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

1923 – The Malt House, 27 High Street

Demolition of single storey flat roof extension and replacement with single storey extension, internal alterations.
P24/S3483/HH

Agreed response: Subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

1924 -The Malt House, 27 High Street

Demolition of single storey flat roof extension and replacement with single storey extension, internal alterations.
P24/S3484/LB

Agreed response: Subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

9) For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7:18pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 10 December 2024