19 December 2023 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 19 December 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present:
Cllrs M Baines, P Cowell, D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), A Gilbert (Deputy Mayor), C Jones, H Richards, and P Swan
Officers
M Sturdy, Town Clerk
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Dite (council business) and Wyse (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 Committee Meeting held on 21 November 2023 were received.
RESOLVED that:
- The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2023 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
5 Planning & Environment Committee Terms of Reference
The report was noted. It was also noted that a survey will be circulated to the committee to gather views on the function of the committee.
The Travel Plan Working Group is an active group but have not had a committee to report into due to the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee meeting less frequently.
RECOMMENDED to Full Council:
- That the Travel Plan Working Group report into the Planning & Environment Committee.
The committee were asked to consider reviewing their Terms of Reference to update the call-in procedure. At present, Officers request that any eligible application is called in to South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC) Planning Committee, however there has been an issue of finding a Councillor who is available and willing to speak at SODC’s meetings.
After some discussion it was agreed that nominating a Councillor at the time of objecting to an application would not work as SODC’s meeting date is unknown so availability could not be guaranteed.
It was agreed that Officers would ask SODC if more notice could be given of their planning meetings as this would increase the likelihood of finding an available volunteer.
Town Council officers will always provide support and notes prior to SODC’s meeting. It was noted that attendance at their meetings can be remote and technical questions are usually reserved for their Planning Officers.
It was agreed that the Town Council should reserve its call-ins for larger applications and should resolve at its meeting whether to call an application in so it is not done by default for all eligible applications.
Members asked what the Town Council’s success rate had been at SODC’s committee. This information was unavailable but would be provided at the next meeting.
RESOLVED:
- To update Section 4 of the Planning and Environment Committee’s Terms of Reference to read: “Representing the Town Council’s views in respect of controversial planning applications by requesting, if resolved by the committee, that the application(s) be called in by Thame’s District Councillors. A Town Councillor will attend the appropriate South Oxfordshire District Council Planning meeting.”
6 Conservation Area Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
The report was noted. The committee were asked to consider the Conservation Area Advisory Committee’s (CAAC) Terms of Reference. CAAC had advised they were happy to continue on the basis the Town Council wanted them to. CAAC currently provides a useful function as ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, and amongst the members holds substantial local knowledge and history.
After some discussion, it was felt that now presented an opportunity to review and reinvigorate CAAC. If CAAC was able to expand and include a range of professions and experience, there was potential for CAAC to be more impactful.
It was noted the Terms of Reference need further reviewing and updating to include quorum and membership terms. The Town Council needs to be clear on CAAC’s function so that it does not fizzle out.
It was agreed that Officers would collate views from this committee on CAAC and provide an update at the next committee meeting.
7 Planning Applications
Cllr Gilbert left the meeting.
1744 – THAME FIELDS (RESERVE SITE C) – AMENDMENT NO.2
Reserved Matters application seeking approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to Condition 1 of planning permission P21/S0917/O. (As amended & amplified by information received 26 September 2023 and 29 November 2023.)
P23/S2269/RM
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H8, H10
SODC Local Plan Policies: H9, H11
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council objects to planning application P23/S2269/RM (Amendment No.2) on the grounds that it is contrary to:
- Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP) policies: H8 – Provide Affordable Housing and H10 – Provide a Thame-Specific Affordable Housing and Dwelling Mix Strategy.
- Local Plan 2035 (LP 2035) policies: H9 – Affordable Housing and H11 – Housing Mix.
1802 – PIETERSEN FINE FURNITURE, 6A LUPTON ROAD
Proposed two storey rear extension to existing commercial unit.
P23/S3707/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, WS13, ESDQ16
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES7, DES8, EMP3, ENV5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3707/FUL.
1803 – HILL RISE, KINGSEY ROAD
Take down existing conservatory and construct single storey rear extension.
P23/S3889/HH
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20
It was noted that the application description on the agenda was incorrect and would be corrected in the minutes.
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3889/HH.
1804 – 88 AYLESBURY ROAD
Demolition of existing rear lean to. Erection of new infill single storey rear extension. Conversion of loft space into habitable accommodation. Relocation of existing garage. (As per amended plans submitted 18 December 2023).
P23/S3857/HH
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: HA6, HA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5
Amended plans had been received since the agenda was published and these were the plans considered by the committee. The application description in the minutes reflects this. The amended plans have removed the front driveway element and now show the chimney on the elevation drawings.
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3857/HH (as amended) and has a comment:
- The loss of the amenity space is regrettable.
1805 – 1 PUTMAN CLOSE
Demolish garage and conservatory. Two storey rear/side extension incorporating garages.
P23/S3970/HH
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3970/HH.
Cllr Richards left the meeting.
1807 – BATES LEYS FARM, MORETON LANE
Change of use to residential curtilage and the erection of a timber garage.
P23/S2681/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S2681/FUL.
1808 – BATES LEYS FARM, MORETON LANE
Change of Use to residential curtilage and the erection of a timber garage.
P23/S2683/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S2683/FUL and comments:
- Subject to the District Council’s approval of the vehicle access.
The Town Clerk left the meeting.
1809 – 3 CORNMARKET
New external door insertion (alternative location to that approved under P23/S2290/FUL).
P23/S4096/FUL
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, TH1
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S4096/FUL and comments:
- Subject to the works being carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Heritage Officer.
- Subject to the building render being made good.
1810 – 19 SYCAMORE DRIVE
Single storey side extension with a new pitched roof.
P23/S4120/HH
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, INF1
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S4120/HH.
1811 – 68 QUEENS ROAD
Conversion of garage store to home office. Porch extension.
P23/S4190/HH
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5
RESOLVED that:
- Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S4190/HH.
8 Expected Amended Plans – Office Land at Phoenix Park (Bellway Development), Howland Road – P23/S0690/FUL
The erection of 9 x 2-bedroom apartments with associated parking and landscaping. (As amplified by additional information received 28 March 2023 and as amended by information received 03 April 2023.)
Earlier in the day amended plans had been sent to the Town Council however the consultation was not yet open. From pre-submission discussions with the applicant, Officers consider the amended plans to offer a more considered and improved scheme. It is not known whether the Town Council will be able to secure an extension to the consultation period, therefore the committee was asked to consider delegating the Town Council’s response to the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer if required.
RESOLVED:
- To delegate the Town Council’s response to this application to the Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer if required.
9 For Information
The items for information were noted.
Post meeting note: On the agenda, Item 8d is incorrect. It should read:
“Amended Plans – 14 Massey Road – P23/S3385/HH – Single storey rear extension and conversion of garage. (amended plans depicting parking arrangements for site, received 10th November 2023 and as amended by red line plan received 06 December 2023)
To note that having reviewed the additional information, it would not change the Town Council’s recommendation made on 21 November 2023 to support subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.”
The meeting concluded at 7:36pm.
Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 23 January 2024