02 May 2023 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 2 May 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs B Austin, A Dite (Deputy Mayor), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert, C Jones, A Midwinter (Deputy Chairman), 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 Cllrs Cowell (personal) and Deacock (personal).
2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
Cllr Jones declared an interest in Item 8a as the neighbour, however this item was just to note.
3 Public Participation and Public Questions
Mr. Manoj Parmar spoke as the applicant for planning application P22/S4537/FUL, alongside the architect, Ms. Ala Lloyd. The application has been amended following consultation comments. Changes include removing the floodlights, removing the second-floor balcony, rearranging the internal layout, reducing glazing, altering the external materials, and increasing indigenous planting. Sport England had requested that the pitch be brought closer to the site boundary, however planning officers had requested the opposite which the applicant decided to proceed with.
What would the second-floor space be used for? This would be a service space / plant room for distribution of water, solar panels, and storage.
What cooling systems are proposed? Natural ventilation is proposed on the rear wall and the glazing will be treated with a privacy film which will restrict UV light in.
What would the function rooms at first floor be used for? These were required to run two concurrent matches, however, could be used for other functions. If the building use changed substantially this would be subject to a change of use application.
Had the building height been reduced? The functional height of the building had been reduced however the overall height remains at 9.5m. The building form now reflects the existing barn on the site, and its ridge line is just below that barn.
Although not a planning consideration, Members were concerned about the economic viability of the proposals and asked how this would be addressed? It would not be possible to play cricket for up to 7 weeks of the year, but otherwise the aim is to play cricket as much as possible.
Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding P22/S4537/FUL – Amendment No.1.
4 Minutes
The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 21 March 2023 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.
5 Planning Applications
1675 – SPORTS GROUND, KINGSEY ROAD – AMENDMENT NO.1
The erection of a cricket pavilion and associated alterations to parking, turning, landscaping and external works (removal of floodlighting, redesign of building and introduction of additional planting as shown on amended plans received 29th March 2023).
P22/S4537/FUL
SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:
-
-
- Subject to no objection from the District’s Landscape Architect.
- Subject to no objection from the District’s Countryside Officer.
- The applicant should consider how the building will be ventilated and cooled.
- A 30m space should be allocated between the pitches, as per the advice from Sport England.
- The number of disabled parking spaces should be compliant with the Equalities Officer advice.
- The applicant should provide information on how the roof and balcony will be drained, in accordance with TNP Policy ESDQ27.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA6, CLW1, CLW2, ESDQ1, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF2, CF3, CF4, DES1, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, ENV12, EP3, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
1703- 27 SYCAMORE DRIVE – AMENDMENT NO.1
Removal of existing garage, new single storey front & rear extensions, new garage, new pitched roof over original roof location & existing flat roof (Loft conversion omitted and building and roof design revised as shown on amended plans received 11 April 2023).
P23/S0934/HH
SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5
1704 – 27 BEECH ROAD
Part two-storey part single-storey front extension, single-storey rear extension and partial garage conversion.
P23/S0962/HH
SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:
-
-
- The loss of the garage for its original purpose is regrettable.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
1705 – 11 TOWERSEY DRIVE
Part 2-storey part single storey side extension, front porch extension and material alterations to the existing house.
P23/S1063/HH
SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:
-
-
- The loss of the garage for its original purpose is regrettable.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
1707 – 42 HIGH STREET
Raising and re-coping lane-facing wall of existing garage by approximately 450mm and extending existing garage by approximately 1.5 metre towards garden. Installation of solar panels on garage roof. Replacement of main garage door.
P23/S1045/HH
OBJECTS:
-
-
- Impact on neighbouring amenity, particularly loss of light and overbearing impact.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, H20
1708 19 MARSTON ROAD
Single storey front extension.
P23/S0586/HH
SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
1709 – 2 GARDEN CITY
Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) on application ref. P20/S1777/FUL (Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a 3-bedroom detached dwelling (Plot 1) and a 4-bedroom detached dwelling (Plot 2)) – addition of second floor playroom within roofspace to plot 2.
P23/S1167/S73
SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:
-
-
- Subject to no objection from the immediate neighbour.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8
1710 – WINDRUSH 7 BRIDGE TERRACE
Retrospective householder permission for an outbuilding in the rear garden of the property.
P23/S1245/HH
SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
1711 – LAND WEST OF THAME PARK ROAD
Variation of condition 2 (Approved plans) on planning application P15/S2166/RM – To vary the approved plans in order to regularise / retain as built the re-siting of the previously approved allotment building and permissive footpath. The permissive footpath location has been amended from that previously approved to minimise disruption to fauna and flora / avoid the most undergrowth and to also avoid taking the path into the areas that have been known to flood from the stream. The allotment building has been relocated from the previously approved location in order to avoid the HV electric cables.
P23/S1239/S73
OBJECTS and has a RESPONSE:
-
-
- The location of the allotment building and minor changes to the footpath network to the west of the allotment building and the community orchard is acceptable.
- Wider changes to the permissive footpath network are contrary to the requirements of Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy HA3 and:
- The direct links from the site’s main, central green corridor to the permissive footpath network and eastwards, to Thame Park Road, have been dropped. These are key principles required by Policy HA3. The key principle of directly linking the riverside walks provided as part of this development and the completed developments on land east of Thame Park Road is long established and the footpath on the eastern side already provided.
- The development would not, therefore, be implemented in accordance with the principles of the illustrative Masterplan and Design Supplement agreed as part of Outline permission P13/S2330/O, nor the Design and Access / Design Brief (conditions 4 and 5 of the Outline permission).
- The development would similarly not be implemented in accordance with the principles of the Reserved Matters permission P15/S2166/RM, granted as being in conformity with both the Outline permission and Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy HA3.
-
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H7, ESDQ3, ESDQ4, ESDQ9, ESDQ16, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF3, CF5, DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8
1712 – 25 SYCAMORE DRIVE
Variation of condition 2 (Approved plans) under application reference number P22/S3273/FUL (Demolition of an existing bungalow, erection of replacement dwelling and garden room) – to accommodate sustainable measures that are being put in place.
P23/S1374/S73
SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ13, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV5, H20, INF1
1713 – 4 HORTON AVENUE
Erection of double storey rear extension.
P23/S1242/HH
SUPPORTS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
6 Consultation – Proposed Disabled Persons Parking Places (DPPP)
Oxfordshire County Council are seeking to provide additional ‘Disabled Persons Parking Places’ (and also remove ones no longer required) in various locations within the County.
In the Parish of Thame, the following DPPP locations are proposed:
- Berkeley Road – East side (in layby) adjacent to Nos. 12 & 14
- Berkeley Road – South side outside Nos. 20 & 22 (to formalise an informal DPPP)
- Simmons Way – Northeast side outside No. 11
- Chinnor Road – North side outside Nos. 105 & 105
The committee raised no objections to the proposals.
It was noted that the District Council had not replaced the two disabled spaces at Southern Road car park following the installation of electric vehicle charge points last year. Officer would follow this up with the District Councillors.
7 Contrary Decisions 2022-2023
Members noted the report on planning decisions issued between 27 April 2022 and 25 April 2023 which were contrary to the Town Council’s recommendation.
8 For Information
The items for information were noted.
Members were pleased with the appeal decision at Moreton (Item 8d) and the accompanying report from the Planning Inspector.
The meeting concluded at 7:30pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 30 May 2023