15 June 2021 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 15 June 2021 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Cllrs B Austin, P Cowell (Town Mayor), M Deacock, A Dite (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, H Fickling (Chairman), H Richards, A Midwinter, and T Wyse

Officers

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

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Champken-Woods (County Council business) and Emery (personal).

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 meeting held on 25 May 2021 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1427 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC 102 HIGH STREET

Removal of the existing individual lettering, allow for all holes to existing fascia board to be made good. Existing ATM to be removed. Opening to be infilled with glazing and timber framing to match existing.
P21/S2091/FUL

Cllr Austin entered the meeting during discussion of this item.

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to the works being carried out in the manner described in the application.
  - Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.
  - Subject to the retention of the fitting for the Town’s Christmas Lights Decoration.
  - The committee regret the loss of the ATM.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, WS2, WS7, WS12. WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, DES8

1428 – BARCLAYS BANK PLC 102 HIGH STREET

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to the works being carried out in the manner described in the application.
  - Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.
  - Subject to the retention of the fitting for the Town’s Christmas Lights Decoration.
  - The committee regret the loss of the ATM.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, WS2, WS7, WS12. WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, DES8

1429 – 25 AYLESBURY ROAD

Single storey rear extension.
P21/S2144/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1430 – RECTORY PAVILION, CHINNOR RUGBY CLUB, KINGSEY ROAD

Provision of floodlight luminaires on to three existing stanchions and three new stanchions.
P21/S2150/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from County Highways Officer.
  - It was recognised the lighting will be directed onto the pitch. The committee noted these will be similar to the existing floodlights which are very notable from neighbouring residences when in use.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ10, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF1, CF4, DES1, DES3, DES5, DES7, ENV1, TRANS5, CF2, DES6, DES8, ENV12

1431 LAND BETWEEN ELMFIELD HOUSE & THE OLD DAIRY, MORETON

Erection of a detached dwelling with garaging, parking and amenity space.
P21/S2067/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE

- - The committee requested that Permitted Development rights be removed, given the site’s sensitivity.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, H7, GA6, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ14, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES7, ENV1, ENV5, H12, H16, INF1, STRAT1, STRAT5, TRANS2, TRANS5, DES6, DES8, EP3

1432 – STARBUCKS THAME SERVICES, THAME ROAD

1) Int-Illum 9mtr Totem Pole Sign 2) Int-Illum Drive Thru Directional 3) Int-Illum Height Restrictor 4) Int-Illum Preview Menu Board 5) Int-Illum Speaker Canopy 6) Int-Illum Triple Menu Board 7) Non-Illum Welcome Mesh Directional 8) Non-Illum Thank You Mesh Directional 9) Int-Illum No Entry/Thank You Directional 10) Int-Illum 1500mm Roundel 11) Int-Illum Drive Thru Letters 12) Int-Illum 1500mm Roundel 13) Int-Illum Drive Thru Letters 14) Int-Illum 250mm Wordmark 15) Int-Illum 750mm Roundel 16) Int-Illum 250mm Wordmark 17) Non-Illum Banner Frame 18a) Non-Illum Window Manifestations – 1500mm high from floor 18b) Non-Illum Window Manifestations – 950mm high from floor 19) Non-Illum Drive Thru Frosting.
P21/S1967/A

HAS A RESPONSE

- - The Town Council condemned the use of illuminated signs due to the impact on the adjacent river and nocturnal biodiversity.

It was agreed that the Town Council would also write to the leader of SODC to remind them of the impact of this development on the town, particularly as a result of the loss of HGV parking, as well as being un-environmentally friendly and out of character of the rural landscape.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, WS13, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ22
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES7, EMP1, EMP6, ENV1, TC1, DES8

1434 – LORD WILLIAMS’S UPPER SCHOOL OXFORD ROAD

New build teaching block of approximately 950m2, providing 9 classrooms, an ICT room and supporting ancillary areas.
P21/S2177/FUL

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, H7, GA1, GA2, GA6, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, ENV1, ENV5, INF1, STRAT1, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5, DES6, DES8

1435 – 13 BERKELEY ROAD

Rear two storey extension and single storey front extension.
P21/S2337/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE

- - Subject to compliance with the 45-degree rule.

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

1436 – 61 QUEENS ROAD

Replacement of existing garage with the erection of an oak framed garage.
P21/S2411/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES7, TRANS5, DES6, DES8

1437 – 28 PICKENFIELD

Change of use of common land into domestic land and enclose with fence.
P21/S2335/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to a condition that no development is permitted on this specific piece of land in the future.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ1, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF4, DES1, DES5, DES7, DES6, DES8, H20

1438 – 42 VANE ROAD

Erection of a new porch with pent roof.
P21/S2380/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1439 – 12 CLARENDON DRIVE

First floor extension and internal remodelling throughout.
P21/S2360/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.

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

6 Easier Access for Residents’ using Wheelchairs, Pushchairs and Mobility Scooters

Cllr Austin presented a proposal for improving access to and from the Town Centre for those with disabilities and pushchairs. Cllr Austin had become aware of numerous obstacles such as hedges, inconsistent and absence of dropped kerbs, obsolete bicycle barriers, and parked cars blocking pavements. This was in addition to potholes and the poor state of pavements. Cllr Austin had been collecting evidence through photographs and speaking to wheelchair users, as well as starting to resolve issues where possible such as asking the Town Council to write to residents with overhanging hedges, which had been successful, and logging issues on ‘Fix My Street’. It was felt that something needed to be done, but it was recognised that the solution would not be easy as various agencies were involved.

Cllr Austin suggested that firstly, the Town Council should call on residents’ associations to help identify problems around Thame, although it was noted that a separate approach would be needed for the central area as it is does not have representation. There should also be a general appeal to the wider population of Thame. It was noted that the recent good neighbour articles in the newsletter appeared to have been successful in getting residents to cut back their hedges. Cllr Austin felt that a combination of approaches was likely to be the most successful. The Town Council needed to encourage volunteers so that issues that were simple and necessary to resolve, could be addressed on a priority basis. This had not been done before by the Town Council so Cllr Austin welcomed feedback on the proposals.

Members were unanimously supportive of the proposals and felt it was important to give the marginalised a voice. Concern was raised regarding Officer time and that expectations were carefully managed. Cllr Austin advised that he did not envisage any Officer time being required and felt that the Town Council needed to try to help, given that people were struggling. It was important that Councillors were made aware of and discussed the issues.

It was agreed that the Town Council needed to support residents’ groups in progressing this and build momentum through the newsletter. Councillors could also speak to businesses where A-boards were obstructing pavements. It was also agreed that Cllr Austin should bring the matter to Full Council.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7:33pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 6 July 2021