16 March 2021 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 16 March 2021 at 6:30pm by Zoom Conference Call.

Present:

Cllrs B Austin, P Cowell, A Dite (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), C Jones, 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 Cllr Deacock (personal).

All Members who were present were able to be seen and be heard.

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Emery declared an interest in planning application P21/S0379/HH as a resident of the Chiltern Vale estate, however this was not a pecuniary interest and did not preclude her from voting or debating on this item.

Cllrs Austin and Midwinter declared an interest in Item 6 – planning application P21/S0689/N4B and abstained from voting on this item.

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 23 February 2021 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1376 – 14 BEECH ROAD

Single storey front extension to align with existing bedroom walls.
P21/S0379/HH

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES7, TRANS5, DES6, DES8, H20

1377 – 22 MARSTON ROAD

Proposed single storey rear extension.
P21/S0573/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1379 – 1 BLACKMORE CLOSE

Garage conversion.
P21/S0685/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

      • Subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.
      • The loss of the garage for its original purpose and front garden is regrettable.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES3, DES7, TRANS5, DES6

1380 – 6 AYLESBURY ROAD

Loft conversion. Rear extension Porch.
P21/S0699/HH

OBJECTS

      • Overlooking
      • Out of character in terms of its scale and design
      • Harm to neighbouring amenity.
      • Impact on the setting of the Conservation Area

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

6 1378 – P21/S0689/N4B – Bates Ley Farm

It was noted that this application was identical to the scheme approved by South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) in 2018, against the recommendation of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) Highways. Whilst it was recognised that SODC were unlikely to refuse this application, it was hoped that the County Council would uphold their objection. The Town Council had agreed at its previous Planning & Environment committee to write to SODC and OCC regarding highways concerns, in relation to the Wenman Road area, however as that letter had not yet been sent, the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer (NPCO) agreed to include concerns about granting permission against Highways advice in relation to this application too.

The Town Council objected to the 2018 scheme and concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on Moreton Lane remained relevant and were heightened by the increased number of users as a result of Covid-19 lockdown. It was noted that there was a considerable number of letters of objection on SODC’s website.

It was recognised that whilst the Town Council had recently supported the planning application at the land west of Windmill Road, the two applications were not comparable as the Windmill Road site had 6m wide access and pavements for pedestrians.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The Town Council object to this application on the grounds that access arrangements are such that intensification of use would lead to significant safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists; that the remote location of the buildings will lead to an overreliance on private motor vehicles; and that the application includes both works and change of use that do not meet the criteria for permitted development.

7 Premises License Application – 7 Upper High Street

The committee had no objections to the application.

8 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – the various items were noted in the absence of a Transport Representative. Cllr Fickling advised that Cllrs Austin and Emery and representatives from Thame Green Living were assisting her with the Town Council’s response to the County Council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan Vision Consultation.

9 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The committee thanked Cllr Emery for volunteering to represent the Town Council at the District’s Planning Committee on planning applications P20/S4632/FUL and P20/S4633/LB (Item 9e).

With regards to Item 9f, the NPCO explained that there was no need for the site to be marketed, adding that permitted development rights were harmful and crippling towns. Members were aware that several of the offices were vacant. The NPCO requested that Members assisted with collating a list of current occupiers, so the Town Council had a record of the businesses that are being impacted by this permitted development conversion to residential. Members raised concern about the impact on Thame Snooker Club, particularly with regards to parking. Although it was noted that SODC could not take comments on this application, it was agreed that the Town Council would highlight that the Snooker Club was a valuable resource and should be protected.

 

The meeting concluded at 7:21pm.

 

 

Signed …………………….

Chairman, 6 April 2021