25 June 2024 – Minutes (draft)

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 25 June 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, H Fickling (Chairman), S McGarry, H Richards and P Swan

Officers

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

 

1) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Jones (personal). Cllr Gilbert was absent without apology.

 

2) Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

 

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 28 May 2024 were received.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 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.

1868 – 3 CORNMARKET – AMENDMENT NO.1

Installation of two AC condensers and a cold store unit, to be located on rear elevation facing rear yard; Installation of a vent outlet, to be installed on rear elevation facing yard. (As amended and amplified by information received 10 June 2024).
P24/S1371/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, TC5

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council objects to planning application P24/S1371/FUL – Amendment No.1 on the following grounds:
    1. The proposal would be contrary to Local Plan Policy ENV6 through causing harm to 3 Cornmarket, a Building of Local Note and for harming the viability of 1A Cornmarket, a Grade II Listed Building.
    2. The proposal would be contrary to Local Plan Policy ENV7 in failing to minimise harm and avoid adverse impacts on 1A Cornmarket, and for failing to justify the harm.
    3. The proposal would fail to respond to its historic site and surroundings, contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy ESDQ16.
    4. The proposal fails to demonstrate how the air and condensing units will be served by plumbing and electrical paraphernalia and how the proposal will fit around the existing rainwater downpipe. This is contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy ESDQ27.
  2. Thame Town Council submits the following comments:
    1. Concern that the proposed location of the condensers/units would block a fire exit.
    2. Concern about the impact on The Shambles as a well-used thoroughfare.

 

1876 – 24 HAMPDEN AVENUE – AMENDMENT NO.1

Single and two store rear extensions with rendered exterior (As amended by plans received 2024-06-11 showing brickwork retained to the exterior of the existing house).
P24/S1630/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S1630/HH – Amendment No.1:
    1. The rear, first floor windows are not consistent with the Joint Design Guide.

 

1880 – 3 PUTMAN CLOSE

Proposed 2-storey rear extension
P24/S1912/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

  1. Thame Town Council supports planning application P24/S1912/HH.

 

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

1878 – 25 QUEENS ROAD

Single-storey side and rear extensions to the existing house, with a new roof over the existing single-storey rear element.
P24/S1622/HH

Officer recommendation: Supports

 

1879 – 24 CONDUIT HILL RISE

Demolition of detached single garage and construction of two storey side extension.
P24/S1746/HH

Officer recommendation: Supports subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.

 

6) Street Naming – Thame Fields / Reserve Site C

The report was noted. Cllr Fickling had undertaken research from British History Online and identified 10 potential street names derived from the Abbotts of Thame Abbey (now Thame Park). This would continue the theme of the adjoining site. It was noted that some of the proposed names may not be suitable due to their spelling, but this should be South Oxfordshire District Council’s decision.

RESOLVED:

  1. To submit the following names to South Oxfordshire District Council as street names for the Bellway development (‘Thame Fields’) of 57 dwellings off Wenman Road, along known as Reserve Site C: Everard, Serlo, Lawrence, Marcham, Steyning, de Wath, Syndesey, Hillary, Houttone and Strattone.

 

7) Thame Community Land Trust (CLT)

The report was noted. It was expected that Thame CLT will begin repaying their loan due in August, as extended and agreed by the council, now that the S106 agreement has been signed off.

There was discussion around the approved option, or options, for the crossing over the Phoenix Trail. The representative for Thame CLT would be asked to provide clarification in their next report particularly for the benefit of newer councillors.

 

8) Travel Plan Working Group

Cllr Richards provide a brief verbal update. The bus working group will be meeting tomorrow with key involvement from an experienced member of the public. It was noted that employees on the Christmas Hill business park are struggling to commute by bus, which could be a future project to explore.

 

9) For Information

The items for information were noted.

 

The meeting concluded at 7:01pm.

 

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 23 July 2024