01 February 2022 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 1 February 2022 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs B Austin, N Champken-Woods (Deputy Mayor), P Cowell (Town Mayor), A Dite (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), H Richards, A Midwinter and T Wyse

Officers

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

 

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Deacock (business).

 

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Champken-Woods declared an interest in Item 6 as a County Councillor and abstained from voting on this item.

 

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr. Watkins spoke against planning application P21/S5361/HH as the resident of 6a Towersey Drive. The properties on Towersey Drive were constructed in the 1960s, other than Number 6a which was an infill plot that was constructed in 2014. Several properties on Towersey Drive have been extended however most have their principal view facing to the rear and are well-spaced apart. The applicant’s Design & Access Statement states that the neighbour’s light and outlook will be unaffected by the proposals. Mr. Watkins explained that their kitchen and bifold doors face the shared boundary and, as shown in their objection letter, the proposed extension would result in overlooking. Given that Number 6a was a later addition to the street, it had been designed to maximise natural daylight, and the occupiers were concerned that the proposed extensions would create overshadowing and severely compromise their privacy. It was also noted that the location plan inaccurately shows the distance between Numbers 6a and 8 as being twice as large as it is. Overall, it was strongly believed that the proposal will have adverse consequences on their amenity.

A question was raised as to whether the residents at 6a had spoken to their neighbours regarding the proposals in order to reduce the impact on their amenity? Mr. Watkins advised that their neighbours had notified them of their intention to submit a planning application in December, however they received no further communication until they were notified of the planning application consultation.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding planning application P21/S5361/HH at 8 Towersey Drive.

 

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 11 January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

 

5 Planning Applications

1489 – 11 COOMBE HILL CRESCENT – AMENDMENT NO.1

Two-storey annexe extension (Amended plans received 12 January 2022 showing a reduction to the width and depth of the annexe and lowering the height of the roof ridge)
P21/S3998/HH

OBJECTS

      • Overdevelopment

Comment: The annexe extension should remain ancillary to the main dwelling in perpetuity.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES7, H12, H16, TRANS5, DES6, DES8, EP3, H20

1528 – 28 YOUENS DRIVE

Change use of land to private domestic garden and erect wooded fence the same height as existing in new proposed location. This will be laid to lawn and shrub borders.
P21/S5089/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

      • Subject to a condition that no development is permitted on this specific piece of land in the future.
      • The committee regret any loss of biodiversity that may arise as a result of this proposal.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ1, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF4, DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8

1532 – FORMER THAMES VALLEY POLICE STATION GREYHOUND LANE

Application under S73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for variation of condition 15 on planning application P16/S3525/FUL to allow for the first eight occupations in advance of the completion of access, parking and turning. (The redevelopment to form 41 sheltered apartments for elderly, including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping). (The redevelopment to form 41 sheltered apartments for elderly, including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping).

P21/S5225/FUL

OBJECTS

      • Poor amenity for current and future occupiers.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, TRANS4, TRANS5 

1533 – WILLOW CORNER, MORETON ROAD

New innovatively designed 4 bedroom eco-friendly house and garage with matching local materials.
P21/S5349/FUL

OBJECTS

      • Contrary to Local Plan Policy H16
      • Poor highways safety
      • Unsustainable location, contrary to Local Plan Policy TRANS2 and TNP Policy H4.
      • Contrary to TNP Policy ESDQ27
      • Contrary to Local Plan Policy DES7
      • Poor design

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, GA6, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, EP3, H3, H12, H16, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS5

1534 – 21 PARK STREET

Proposed single storey side extension, with a new roof over the entire single storey element.
P21/S5387/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV8, H20

1536 – BRERETON, 7 BELL LANE

Replacement of existing felt flat roof dormer window with pitched thatch roof and new flush casement window. Works to existing conservatory including replacement of glass roof with blue slate with one flush conservation roof light, removal of existing windows and doors, infill brick to match existing and install new door and window. Replace window into downstairs cloakroom. Removal of external door into hallway – brick to half height and install new window.
P21/S5366/LB

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

      • Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, H20

1537 – RECTORY PAVILION, CHINNOR RUGBY CLUB, KINGSEY ROAD

Erection of a new covered tiered seating stand.
P22/S0026/FUL

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ21, ESDQ22
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF1, CF2, CF4, DES1, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV12, STRAT1, TRANS5

1538 – 54 YOUENS DRIVE

Proposed rear extension, garage conversion, floor plan redesign and all associated works.
P22/S0004/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

      • Subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.
      • The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies:  DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1539 – 8 TOWERSEY DRIVE

Demolition of existing side extension with garage, erection of 2 storey front & side extension, single storey rear extension & loft extension. Widen existing dropped kerb & installation of block paving to enlarged driveway, patio to rear garden.
P21/S5361/HH

OBJECTS

      • Poor design
      • Overdevelopment
      • Unneighbourly
      • Inaccurate plans in overexaggerating the distance between Number 6a and 8 Towersey Drive.

Comment: The annexe extension should remain ancillary to the main dwelling in perpetuity.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1542 – 3 WENTWORTH ROAD

Single storey extension to front elevation to provide ground floor WC.
P22/S0037/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1543 – 14 ROBIN GIBB ROAD

Removal of the wall to the left of the rear garden to enable the exterior garden to become part of the rear garden. Plus construction of a wall (same height and construction as existing) near to the pavement with a return to the rear of the house, leaving a 60cm wide strip of land between the outside of the wall and the pavement for planting in accordance with other dwellings on the development.
P21/S4026/FUL

OBJECTS:

      • Loss of public amenity space
      • Insufficient information on the proposed planting arrangements and impact on the bat roost that was identified in the site’s 2017 Landscape & Ecological Management Plan.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ23
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8

1544 – 52 ROBIN GIBB ROAD

Creation of a loft conversion with x3 front dormers.
P22/S0181/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ23
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

1546 – 8 CROFT CLOSE

Demolition of existing garage, utility area and porch and reconstruction as living room, utility area and front porch with the construction of a first floor extension above for a single bedroom, bathroom and a loft room above for a bathroom and dressing room. Also to include the conversion of the existing roof space for a single bedroom with dormer window on the rear facing roof slope and rooflights to the front elevation.
P22/S0187/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

 

6 Consultation – A329 Rycote Lane (Thame) Proposed 40mph Speed Limit

Members felt it would be sensible for any changes to the speed limit to be extended to the proposed relocation of the Cattle Market site on Rycote Lane. The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer explained that the speed limit was being reduced as a result of the development on the industrial estate. It was understood that the applicant for this site was working with the applicant for the Cattle Market site and County Highways, where it was hoped that this would result in good joined up thinking.

Members felt that the suggestion to request 30mph should be supported.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The town Council respond to the consultation to request that the speed limit be reduced to 30mph in the interests of the safety of the footpath users and due to vehicles parking on the verge.

 

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

 

The meeting concluded at 7:30pm.

 

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 22 February 2022