11 July 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 11 July 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs M Baines, P Cowell, A Dite (Town Mayor), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert (Deputy Mayor), C Jones, H Richards, P Swan, and T Wyse (Deputy Chairman)

Officers

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

1 Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

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 20 June 2023 were received.

RESOLVED that:

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2023 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1731 – 11 NELSON STREET

Proposed single storey rear extension replacing existing single storey element.
P23/S1982/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports the application.

1732 – WHIZZKIDZ LTD, 2-6 JEFFERSON WAY

Change of use of existing building, Children`s indoor playground E(d) to part retail unit E(a) and part Children`s Nursery E(f). Single storey extension. Recladding of building including new windows and roof.
P23/S2058/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, WS12, WS13, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP2, EMP3, ENV12, EP3, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5

Members recognised the need for, and supported, a new nursery in Thame, however were unable to support this application as it was sub-standard and unsuitable.

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to the application on the grounds of:
- Fails to provide EV charging for cars and bicycles, contrary to Local Plan Policy TRANS5
- Proposes a main town centre use in a location that is contrary to the NPPF, and fails to provide a retail sequential test
- Inadequate detail regarding the lighting scheme
- Inadequate details of access for HGVs
- Proposes a use that cannot be implemented, contrary to Local Plan Policies LP 2035 DES1 and DES7.

1733 – 26 COOMBE HILL CRESCENT

Application description Conversion of garage and side extension with new pitched roof.
P23/S2068/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports the application but regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

1734 – WALBROOK, MORETON

Erection of a detached dwelling (316m2 GIA) with residential annex for disabled family member (239m2 GIA) and carers accommodation (72m2 GIA), detached garage, parking and amenity space.
P23/S2078/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, GA6, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, EP3, H3, H12, H16, STRAT1, STRAT5, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports the application and has a response:
- It is recommended that the annex remains ancillary to the main dwelling.
- It is recommended that permitted development rights are removed, given the site’s location and character.
- Subject to no objection from the County Highways Team.

1735 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC 102 HIGH STREET

Installation of 1No fascia sign, 1No projection sign and 1No menu board.
P23/S2109/LB

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26, ESDQ27
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, EMP2, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, EP3, TC5, TH1, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to the application on the grounds of:
- The type and use of illumination is not considered acceptable in the Conservation Area.
- The use of non-traditional materials on the fascia panel and projecting sign is regrettable.
- The proposed hours of illumination for the fascia and hanging sign are contrary to Local Plan Policy DES7, in failing to use resources efficiently.

1736 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC 102 HIGH STREET

Installation of 1No new fascia sign, 1No projection sign and 1No menu board.
P23/S2110/A

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to the application on the grounds of:
- The type and use of illumination is not considered acceptable in the Conservation Area.
- The use of non-traditional materials on the fascia panel and projecting sign is regrettable.
- The proposed hours of illumination for the fascia and hanging sign are contrary to Local Plan Policy DES7, in failing to use resources efficiently.

1737 – LAND AT THE ELMS UPPER HIGH STREET

Retrospective planning permission for a temporary marketing suite including an external paved area and temporary footpaths.
P23/S1771/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H3, H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports the application and has a response:
- Given the community interest in this site the Town Council would recommend a condition that limits the use of the sales office to house sales arising from the build out of planning application P14/S2176/FUL, only.
- Subject to appropriate car parking arrangements for staff and prospective purchasers being identified.
- External lighting arrangements to be subject to the approval of the District Council.
- Subject to the marketing suite being removed as early as possible within the three years.

1738 – 3 BROOKSIDE

Proposed ground floor side extension, internal alterations and all associated works.
P23/S2170/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports the application and has a response:
- The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

1739 – 11 QUEENS ROAD

Loft conversion with box dormer.
P23/S2202/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to the application on the grounds of:
- The scale and form are out of character with the local area and contrary to SODC Design Guidance for rear and roof extensions, contrary to Thame Neighbourhood Plan ESDQ16 and Local Plan 2035 Policy DES1.
- The proposed extension would result in the loss of light to the first floor window of 13 Queens Road, contrary to Local Plan 2035 Policy DES6.

6 Air Quality

a) South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils are consulting on the draft Air Quality Action Plan 2023-27. The consultation closes on 27 July 2023.

Members were pleased to see the District Councils were looking at improving air quality, although it was noted that Thame was not included in the Action Plan and that the document was difficult to understand. The Chairman agreed to collate Members comments and put forward Thame’s ideas for addressing air quality, however individual responses were encouraged too.

b) Oxfordshire Clean Air Strategy – It was noted that Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) have launched a strategy to tackle poor air quality.

7 20mph in Thame Update

The report was noted.

Members did not support OCC’s reasons for reducing the proposed 20mph area on Oxford Road and Aylesbury Road due to them being strategic routes and receiving objections from bus operators, and not including other areas due to them being self-monitoring. It was agreed that the Town Council should request that OCC consult on the 20mph scheme as originally requested by the Town Council.

8 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7:35pm.

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 1 August 2023