20 December 2016 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 20 December 2016 at 6.30pm In the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present: Cllrs B Austin, D Bretherton, N Dixon (Deputy Mayor), D Dodds, H Fickling (Chairman), C Jones, A Midwinter (Deputy Chairman) and M Stiles
Officers:
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Cowell (Unwell), Deacock (Unwell) and Emery (Unwell).

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Midwinter declared an interest in planning application P16/S3934/FUL as Vice Chairman of Thame & District Housing Association and did not vote on this item.

3. Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Webb of 13 Garden City, spoke on behalf of his family and the residents of No. 15 Garden City against planning application P16/S3851/HH. The proposed extension was very large and would dwarf neighbouring dwellings. The roof line would darken the rear of No. 13 where elderly residents spent a great deal of time. This in turn would lead to higher expenditure on lighting and heating.

Three years ago a planning permission was granted by the planning authority after two recommendations of refusal by the Town Council but the work had not commenced. Mr Webb had not been contacted by the applicant or given the opportunity to discuss the proposals prior to the planning application being submitted. The proposal was too large, would be unneighbourly and would block the light.

4. Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

5. Planning Applications

9747
P16/S3478/A PIZZA PARLOUR, 100A HIGH STREET
Proposed signage
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Materials do not conform to Conservation Area Policy

Comment: Members welcomed the move to replace the existing signage and the proposed black lettering on a white background

9748
P16/S3851/HH 14 GARDEN CITY
Demolish conservatory and garage – propose single storey extension.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Unneighbourly
2. Overdevelopment

9749
P16/S3936/HH 17 FAIRFAX CLOSE
Demolishing of existing garage and erection of a double storey side extension, single storey rear extension and porch extension, including new garage and new parking arrangements.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9751
P16/S3934/FUL PEARCE COURT, WINDMILL ROAD
Alterations to existing entrances and boundary treatments to Southern Road, together with hard landscape variations.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9752
P16/S3950/FUL THE POPLARS, 31 UPPER HIGH STREET
Change of use from meadow to garden land.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: G5, C9, CON5, CON7, D1, D4
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9753
P16/S3938/HH PORTH, 60 QUEENS ROAD
Removal of existing roof to allow for first floor extension to create a four bedroom, two storey house. Front single storey extension to replace existing garage and create new porch.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

9754
P16/S4040/HH 20 ASTLEY ROAD
Garage conversion to hobby room / home office.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

6. BT Payphone Kiosk Removal Consultation

A letter had been received from BT regarding a formal consultation process on the current programme of intended public payphone removals. There were currently two public payphones identified in the Parish of Thame located at Churchill Crescent and Moreton Road, Moreton.

Members agreed that the response of No Strong Views be submitted to the consultation.

7. Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – Cllr Stiles stated that she had received a telephone call from a resident in Garden City reporting that despite having booked and paid for a seat on the Comet Service today, when the bus arrived the driver had refused to allow her and another resident onto the bus as it was full.

It had been reported that the price of the fare to use the Comet Service had risen to £7.50. This was a flat rate fare which covered travel on the whole route. For residents using the service in Thame to travel into the town centre the price was comparable to that of a taxi and beyond the affordability of some residents.

Members agreed that the Town Council would write to Oxfordshire County Council expressing concern with regard to a) passengers being refused entry onto the service despite having pre-booked a seat and b) to request that the fare structure be reviewed.

8. For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7.02pm

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 10 January 2017