20 December 2022 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 20 December 2022 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

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

Officers

C Pinnells, Community Services Manager
L Fuller, Committee Services Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Midwinter (personal) and Deacock (personal). The Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer also gave his apologies.

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Jones declared an interest in planning application P22/S4213/HH (1 Griffin Road) as a neighbour. This was not a pecuniary interest and did not preclude Cllr Jones from debating or voting on this item.

With regards to planning application P22/S4336/FUL, a general dispensation is in place to allow Members to speak and vote on any planning application where the applicant is the Town Council.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Nick Reaston-Brown spoke on behalf of the applicant for planning application P22/S4091/FUL. The previous application for 3-terraced homes had been refused as it was not appropriate for Thame and was missing key documents. The current application for two detached properties has been carefully and sensibly designed by local people to be more in keeping with the area, and includes the required additional information on energy and transport. It was noted that the Forestry Officer had raised concerns, but it was hoped that after a site visit next month, their concerns would be overcome.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 29 November 2022 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1660 – PARK MEADOW FARMHOUSE THAME PARK ROAD

Proposed erection of two 4 bed houses, car parking and landscaping.
P22/S4091/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the District’s Forestry Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H6, GA6, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, EP3, H3, H16, INF1, STRAT1, STRAT5, TRANS4,TRANS5

1661 – 24 EAST STREET

Two storey rear extension and front porch.
P22/S4151/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1663 – 12 BEECH ROAD

Proposed front extension, side extension to replace existing garage, and rear extension to existing dwellinghouse.
P22/S4181/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1664 – 12 WENTWORTH ROAD

Demolition of existing conservatory, construction of single storey extension, addition of window to side elevation.
P22/S4262/HH

SUPPORTS

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

1665 – 1 GRIFFIN ROAD

Demolition of existing garage. Construct part two storey/part single storey side extension.
P22/S4213/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1666 – PLAY PARK THAME MEADOWS ESTATE

Installation of 5 pieces of Public Art – ‘totems’ – in 5 locations around Thame as part of a new story trail. Each ‘totem’ is 2m tall and will be set into a base that is 600mm x 600mm, to a maximum depth of 900mm.
P22/S4336/FUL

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H4, GA2, ESDQ16, ESDQ17
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES8, ENV1, ENV5, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

1667 – 3 CORNMARKET

External works: Remove all Fascia and external signage and make good. Remove all external marketing. Remove 1no. ATM to Cornmarket elevation and infill to match existing finishes. Remove 1no. ATM and signage cover panel to The Shambles elevation. Seal letterbox. Night safe to be removed and lid sealed. Temporary correx to windows (internal face).
P22/S4338/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the District’s Conservation Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, TC5

6 Bus Shelters / Bus Stop Improvements

The report was noted. Following requests from residents, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) are looking to install a new bus stop on Thame Park Road (near Jane Morbey Road) and add a hardstanding surface to the bus stop at Kingsey Road (near footpath to Seven Acres). The works would be funded through approximately £7,000 of S106 funding held by OCC for bus stop improvements, with an additional £3,800 transferred to the Town Council for ongoing maintenance. Members were asked to recommend to Full Council that the Town Council accepts the ownership and maintenance of the new bus shelter at Thame Park Road.

Members requested more information on the funding provision. How much money do OCC hold for bus shelter provision? Would this expenditure impact on funding for a future hopper bus? Was the funding restricted to specific bus routes which serve the housing developments that generated the funding? Would there be further bus shelter maintenance funds available in future? What would be the cost implications for insuring and maintaining the shelters? The Community Services Manager advised that the funding available was just for bus shelter improvements, and that the Town Council insures all street furniture rather than individual items. The Operations Manager was aware of the proposals and raised no concerns with regards to the future maintenance. It was noted that the S106 funding had an expiry date and if it was not spent, it would be returned to the developer.

Members were concerned that the money may be wasted if the bus stop is not well used, and it was suggested that figures on bus stop usage be requested from OCC. The Travel Plan Working Group were currently investigating a hopper bus, and had received figures on the 121 Service usage.

Overall additional information was requested so that Full Council could make an informed decision on taking on ownership and maintenance of the new bus shelter.

RECOMMENDED to Full Council:

To accept ownership and the ongoing future maintenance of the new bus shelter at Thame Park Road from OCC, subject to information on the bus stop usage and further detail on the S106 funding availability / future maintenance funds.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

8 Next Meeting

It was noted that the Planning & Environment Committee meeting on 10 January 2023 has been cancelled and that the next meeting of this committee will be 31 January 2023.

The meeting concluded at 7:16pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 31 January 2023