08 November 2022 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 8 November 2022 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs A Dite (Deputy Mayor), M Deacock, D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), C Jones, T Wyse

Officers

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

 

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Austin (personal), Cowell (personal), Gilbert (personal), and Midwinter (personal).

 

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Members were reminded that a general dispensation was in place that allowed them to debate and vote on planning applications where the Town Council is the applicant, which applied to P22/S3531/LB.

 

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 18 October 2022 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

 

5 Planning Applications

1643 – 7 BEECH ROAD

Proposed front extension and two storey rear extension, which involves demolition of the existing rear conservatory, front porch and garden shed.
P22/S3655/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1644 – 30 QUEENS ROAD

Proposed single storey rear extension.
P22/S3708/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1645 – 29 GLENHAM ROAD

Partial demolition of existing rear extension and conservatory. Construction of new single storey rear extension.
P22/S3690/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1646 – 37 OLD UNION WAY

Construction of a new brick-built enclosed entrance vestibule to replace the existing entrance canopy.
P22/S3705/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1647 – TOWN HALL, HIGH STREET

To repurpose listed phone box directly outside Town Hall to house a defibrillator.
P22/S3531/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
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

1648 – 22 HOLLIERS CLOSE

Proposed single storey rear extension (replacing existing conservatory).
P22/S3754/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1649 – 24 CHESTNUT AVENUE

Demolish existing garage; take down existing sunroom; construct side and rear extensions; construct front porch; enlarge parking area to front.
P22/S3790/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1651 – 71 COTMORE GARDENS

Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension.
P22/S3891/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1652 – 1 HAMILTON ROAD

Infill front extension with dormer.
P22/S3908/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1653 – 26 HIGH STREET

Installing of lettering on the west facing elevation fronting on to Southern Road.
P22/S3895/LB

OBJECTS

      • The proposed materials are not in conformance with the Conservation Area Management Plan.
      • Further information should be provided on how the signage is affixed to the Listed Building, and this should be subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

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

1654 – 26 HIGH STREET

Installing of lettering on the west facing elevation fronting on to Southern Road.
P22/S3900/A

OBJECTS

      • The proposed materials are not in conformance with the Conservation Area Management Plan.
      • Further information should be provided on how the signage is affixed to the Listed Building, and this should be subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

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

 

6 MW.0125/22 – Menlo Industrial Park, Rycote Lane

Demolition of existing canopy, partial demolition and alteration(s) to existing building. Provision of car storage racks and replacement hard surfacing (as approved under MW.0096.21), boundary fencing and gates. Provision of a new office building. All in connection with the use of the site for the augmentation, from the adjacent site, of auto recycling and end of life vehicles. (variation/amendment to works approved under MW.0096/21)

Members raised concern about the visual impact of the proposed car storage racks on the landscape. It was suggested that a detailed and sensitive planting scheme be included, particularly on the site’s perimeter where there are some gaps in the existing natural screening.

The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer (NPCO) advised that he had been unable to establish the hours of operation. The proposed construction hours have been recommended to match the adjoining development at the Christmas Hill site. The immediate neighbour has complained of noise disturbance and antisocial behaviour from drivers. It was suggested that the operation hours need to be established and limited to daylight hours.

It was noted that parking on the verge on Rycote Lane continued to be an issue. The County Council are aware of the issue, and potentially with more pedestrians / cyclists travelling to the new developments on Rycote Lane this may become a higher priority to resolve.

It was agreed the NPCO would collate and submit the committee’s comments.

 

7 Appeal – APP/Q3115/W/22/3296061

It was noted that an appeal has been made by the applicant to the Secretary of State against the failure by South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) to determine planning application P21/S4806/FUL (Land to the north of Moreton Road) within the time allowed.

It was agreed that the Town Council should reiterate its original comments, and that the NPCO would check the applicant’s statement for anything further to add.

It was suggested that the Town Council ask SODC for the reason in the delay in determination.

 

8 For Information

The items for information were noted.

With regards to Items 8b and 8c, thanks were given to Cllr Gilbert for representing the Town Council on two applications at the District’s Planning Committee, although regrettably in both cases permission was granted contrary to the Town Council’s recommendation. It was clarified that the Conservation Officer had objected to the proposals to knock through between 104 and 105 High Street in order to preserve the unaltered form and layout at first floor. The applicant seeks to expand the seating area into the front room of 104 High Street but no detail was provided on how the other rooms will be used.

 

The meeting concluded at 7:10pm.

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 29 November 2022