05 April 2016 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 5 April 2016 at 6.30pm In the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present: Cllrs B Austin, D Bretherton (Deputy Chairman), P Cowell, M Deacock,
N Dixon (Town Mayor), L Emery (Deputy Mayor), H Fickling (Chairman),
A Midwinter, M Stiles and T Wyse
Officers
G Hunt, Town Clerk
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Dodds (Personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Austin declared an interest in item 10 as chairman of the East Thame Residents Association. Cllr Emery declared an interest in planning application P16/S0837/HH as a resident of the Chiltern Vale Estate.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Taynton, resident of No. 72 Queen’s Road, spoke against planning application P16/S0806/FUL – The Wychens, 70 Queen’s Road. Mr Taynton had no objection in principle to the existing bungalow being demolished and replaced with a two storey dwelling provided it was done appropriately and sensitively. He felt the current application did not address either point.

Mr Taynton’s property was a chalet style bungalow and the same height as the bungalow at No. 70. The proposed new dwelling would be some 2m higher than the existing bungalow and this together with the proposed dwelling being sited only 0.8m from the boundary would result in loss of light and a sense of overbearing.

If the current design was ‘flipped’ i.e. the two storey element sited closer to No. 68 with the single storey garage next to No. 72 this would respect the street scene and reduce the effect of overbearing.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

9613
P16/S0837/HH 16 HAZEL AVENUE
Enlargement of existing extension above garage, two storey rear extension and front porch with accompanying canopy.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies:CSQ3

9614
P16/S0715/FUL
PARK GRANGE FARM, THAME PARK ROAD
Alteration and conversion to form a four bedroom dwelling.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to a satisfactory response on the loss of commercial use.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, H7, WS12, GA6, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ14, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, D11, H13, E8, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ2, CSD3

9615
P16/S0762/HH JEMMETTS, 4 OXFORD ROAD
Amendment to planning application P15/S3841/HH as approved on 13 January 2016, to include black painted steel flue to wood burning stove in rear roof slope.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Unneighbourly

Concern raised that the outbuilding was becoming more like a dwelling. The Committee didn’t understand the necessity to have a wood burning stove in the outbuilding.

9617
P16/S0851/HH 43 NORTH STREET
Demolition of existing garage / shed. Erection of proposed garage / shed.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D4
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9618
P16/S0806/FUL THE WYCHENS, 70 QUEENS ROAD
Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of new four bedroom house.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Unneighbourly
2. Loss of light due to scale and bulk
3. Overdevelopment
4. Out of character with the area

Comment: The Committee regretted the loss of the bungalow as there was already a shortage of that type of dwelling in the town.

9619
P16/S0908/HH 89 WELLINGTON STREET
Single storey rear elevation. First floor side extension. Various alteration works to elevations. Extension to increase width of detached garage.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Loss of amenity space
2. Overdevelopment

9621
P16/S0964/HH 5 KING’S ROAD
Single storey rear extension. Proposals to be considered in line with No. 4 King’s Road. Planning application submitted simultaneously.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9622
P16/S0966/HH 4 KING’S ROAD
Single storey rear infill extension. Drawings to read in conjunction with application submitted for No.5 King’s Road.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9623
P16/S0866/LB 85 HIGH STREET
Remove false timber framing from south elevation. Remove brick infill from panels of gable end timber frame. Replace all decayed beams on gable end. Lath panels of gable end timber frame and render in lime putty. Remove cement rich renders from all elevations. Render all brickwork in hydraulic lime. Finish all rendered elevations in traditional lime wash. Replace plastic gutters and downpipes with powder coated aluminium.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON3, CON5, CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9624
P16/S0940/FUL 18 CORNMARKET
Additional step and balustrade to shop entrance, shopfront decorations. New a-board, internal cosmetic works. Relocation of HVAC units or replacement of like for like.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON2, CON3, CON4, CON5, CON7, CON8, D1, H13, TC8, AD1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEM1, CSEM4, CST1, CSEN3

9625
P16/S0941/A 18 CORNMARKET
Proposed new signage.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Comment: The Committee regretted the inclusion of an ‘A’ board in the application. It was appreciated that the application had been made before the work had commenced.

9626
P16/S1010/LB 18 CORNMARKET
External decorations, additional step and balustrade to shopfront, new fascia signage, new projecting sign. Internal cosmetic works required.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

6 P15/S3607/FUL – Windrush, Bridge Terrace

Cllrs Fickling, Austin and Deacock had attended the District Planning Meeting to speak against the planning application for Windrush, Bridge Terrace. A number of local residents also spoke against the application.

The District agreed to refuse the planning application on the grounds of overdevelopment and unneighbourly. Councillors who attended the meeting said their contribution to the discussion was well received and that every effort should be made for the Town Council to be represented at future District Planning meetings when appropriate.

7 Thame Neighbourhood Plan and the Planning Authority

Following discussion it was agreed that there was little point in engaging with the Planning Authority until some evidence gathering had taken place. A document containing details of contrary planning decisions was produced on an annual basis. It was agreed that this document together with any additional evidence would be produced in May so that next steps can be established.

It was agreed to suspend Standing Order 5.0 to allow the meeting to continue.

8 Elms Road – Proposed extension of current Parking Restrictions

A question regarding the consultation had been raised at the Annual Town Meeting with concern to the permanence of the proposals. Following discussion Members agreed that the Town Council would respond to the consultation stating that it was strongly opposed to the proposals.

It was felt the extension to the existing ‘No Waiting at any Time’ parking restriction would add to the existing problems of off street parking in what was already a congested area and encourage vehicles to travel faster through the local residential area which would result in antisocial driving and the potential for road traffic accidents. Any proposals for the management of traffic and parking should include Southern Road, Nelson Street, Rooks Lane, Windmill Road and Elms Road and no one area should be taken in isolation.

The Council agreed that there may be a requirement for temporary restrictions, during site working hours only, on one side of Elms Road whilst construction work took place at The Elms. If the Council’s strong views were not acceptable a request would be made for a member of the County Council to attend a future meeting in order to explain the rationale behind the proposals and address the concerns raised by the Town Council.

It was agreed that the Town Clerk would draft and send an appropriate response.

9 Towersey Festival, Thame Showground

No comments were raised with regard to the Variation to Premises Licence application for the Towersey Festival.

10 Tythrop Way / Kingsey Road Roundabout

Following receipt of correspondence from Oxfordshire County Council it was agreed that the Council write to request the installation of reflective bollards on the Fanshawe Road quadrant of the roundabout. The text of the letter to be agreed with Cllr Austin.

11 Local Plan 2031 Call for Sites and Neighbourhood Planning

It was noted that South Oxfordshire District Council was updating the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and had invited landowners to submit potential development sites for consideration.

12 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – Cllr Stiles reported that a Transport Representatives meeting had not taken place since the last report.

With regard to the withdrawal of bus subsidies by the County Council Cllr Stiles stated that she had been assured that no changes would be made to services until after 20 July. Cllr Stiles continued to correspond with the County Council to find out if money received from Government would be used towards funding bus services in the future. A meeting would be arranged between the bus operator and local representatives to find a way of running a reduced service for the 120/121/123/124 bus.

13 For Information

The items for information were noted.

f) It was noted that complaints had been received with regard to vehicles and motorcycles, fitted with modified exhausts, driving through the town centre and residential areas at speed. This created a nuisance with regard to increased noise levels and a potential for road traffic accidents. It was agreed that the Town Council would write to Inspector Harling to express their concerns.

The meeting concluded at 8.08pm

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 26 April 2016