20 August 2024 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20 August 2024 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs M Baines (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), C Jones, and S McGarry.

Officers

G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer

 

1) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Dawson (no reason given), Gilbert (personal), Richards (personal) and Swan (personal).

It was agreed to accept the apologies and reason given from Cllrs Dawson (no reason given), Gilbert (personal) and Swan (personal).

 

2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Baines declared a pecuniary interest in Item 5b (42 Aylesbury Road) and left the meeting during this item.

 

3) Public Participation and Public Questions

There was no public participation.
There were no public questions put to the Committee.

 

4) Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 23 July 2024 were received.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

 

5) Planning Applications

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

 

1885 – 3 KINGS ROAD

Single storey extension to rear of property and new boundary wall.
P24/S2358/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2358/HH.

 

1886 – 44 UPPER HIGH STREET

Maintain the existing front and right-hand side advertisement fascia boards along with the signage lighting above.
P24/S2319/A

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26
SODC Local Plan Policies:  DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, TC5

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council objects to planning application P24/S2319/A on the following grounds:
    1. The illumination of the fascia does not comply with Local Plan 2035 Policy ENV8 and Thame Neighbourhood Plan ESDQ16 and is deemed unnecessary given number 44’s prominent location and proximity to street lighting.

And submits the following comments:

  1. The use of raised lettering is considered appropriate, given the age of the building.
  2. It is recommended that should permission be granted signage is restricted to only that displayed on the building’s existing fascia, as per submitted drawing number 24-659 03 Rev A.

 

1889 – 43 BEECH ROAD

Raise the roof height of the existing bungalow to create habitable accommodation in part of roof space. carry out a single storey front extension, a single storey side extension with pitched roof to provide new Garage and utility room and a single storey side extension with flat roof to replace existing garage and convert to habitable space.
P24/S2432/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, H20

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2432/HH.

 

1891 – ST ANDREWS COURT, WELLINGTON STREET

Two proposed 3-bedroom new-build dwellings and associated car parking and amenity including bike and bin stores.
P24/S2464/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies:  DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, EP3, H3, H9, H11, H16, INF1, STRAT1, STRAT5, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council objects to planning application P24/S2464/FUL on the following grounds:
    1. The proposal is contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policy ENV8 in failing to conserve or enhance the special character, setting and appearance of the Thame Conservation Area (TCA). It fails to identify and protect important views of the TCA and respect the existing character in terms of form, scale, height and grain.
    2. The proposal risks harm to the setting of 26 Upper High Street, contrary to Local Plan Policy ENV7. It would also harm the ability to view the individual and collective character of Numbers 27, 27A, 27B and 28 Upper High Street, all buildings of local note.
    3. The proposal is contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan policies ESDQ16 and ESDQ20 in proposing development that does not relate well to its local surroundings and that does not contribute positively to the historic character.

It was agreed to request that this application be called in to the District’s Planning Committee.

 

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

Cllr Baines left the meeting.

 

1887 – CORNER CLOSE COTTAGE, 9 BELL LANE

Repair of gable end walls. Exact nature of repairs required unknown. Depends upon what is found when exposed.
P24/S2036/LB

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2036/LB subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

1888 – 42 AYLESBURY ROAD

Energy upgrade and single-storey rear extension.
P24/S2374/HH

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2374/HH.

 

1890 – 9A BELL LANE

Erection of a 5m x 3m timber store/workshop in the front garden.
P24/S2124/HH

Members noted the correspondence received from a neighbour raising objections to the proposed scheme. It was agreed to amend the recommendation to:

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2124/HH, subject to the outbuilding remaining ancillary to the main dwelling in perpetuity and not being used for residential accommodation.

 

1892 – 48 CHURCHILL CRESCENT

Roof alterations to existing single storey side extension.
P24/S2486/HH

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2486/HH.

 

1893 – 4-5 UPPER HIGH STREET

Repainting the entire shopfront and repainting of two fascia signs.
P24/S2465/LB

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2465/HH subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

1894 – 4-5 UPPER HIGH STREET

Repainting the entire shopfront and repainting of two fascia signs.
P24/S2466/A

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S2465/HH subject to no objection from the Heritage Officer.

 

Cllr Baines re-entered the meeting.

 

6) Consultation – Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework

It was noted that the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer (NPCO) is preparing a briefing note for Councillors which should be available next week. Members were encouraged to undertake their own research to support the NPCO.

RESOLVED:

  1. To delegate the response to the consultation to the NPCO by collating Councillor input via email.

 

7) Thame Neighbourhood Plan 2 – Update

It was noted that the comments received during the Regulation 16 Consultation which concluded on 25 July 2024.

It was noted that an examiner has been appointed (Andrew Ashcroft) and the examination arrangements were noted.

The Examining Officer has provided a list of queries which the NPCO and Troy Planning are preparing responses to. The queries relate to providing context for decisions and points of clarification.

 

8) For Information

The items for information were noted.

It was noted that the A-board and planter had been excluded again from the application. The concerns raised by the Conservation Area Advisory Committee had been included as part of the Town Council’s response.

 

The meeting concluded at 7:01pm.

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 17 September 2024