20 October 2015 – Minutes

 THAME TOWN COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 20 October 2015 at 6.30pm In the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

 

 Present: Cllrs B Austin, D Bretherton (Deputy Chairman), P Cowell, M Deacock,
L Emery (Deputy Mayor), H Fickling (Chairman), A Midwinter and T Wyse
Officers
G Hunt, Town Clerk
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

 

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Dixon (Council Business), Dodds (Holiday) and Stiles (Personal).

 

 

Cllr Deacock declared an interest in item 7a – P15/S3250/PDH as the applicant.  Cllr Bretherton declared an interest in item 5 – 9544 P15/S3219/HH as the applicant was known to him.

 

Cllr Cowell entered the meeting.

 

 

Mr Swart spoke against planning application P15/S3141/HH as the owner of 35 Southern Road and also on behalf of residents at No.39 Southern Road and Hazelton Close.  Mr Swart considered the proposals to be unneighbourly, the drawings were incorrect showing the new extension to No.35 going out further than it did and the proposed extension to number 37 being aligned to it.  If built to those specifications it would result in the proposed extension overhanging by 2.8m and a 9’ high wall adjacent to Mr Swart’s property.  The proposals also included a second storey which would take light from the extension at No.35.

 

When Mr Swart applied for planning permission to build the extension to No. 35 his neighbours had been insistent that a 300m gap be left to the boundary ensuring a 600m gap between both properties for access.  The proposed new extension would be built up to the boundary leaving only a 300m gap.

 

The residents at No. 39 had concerns with regard to the proposed new window in the kitchen which would result in overlooking to both their property and garden.  The large window to the first floor extension would result in overlooking to the property at the rear of 37 Southern Road in Hazleton Close.  It was pointed out that when the properties were built in Hazelton Close a condition was placed on them that windows to the bedrooms could only be velux to prevent overlooking of houses in Southern Road.  It now seemed unfair that a larger window set closer to properties in Hazleton Close would overlook their living space.

 

Mr Mariner spoke for Mrs Austin against planning application P15/S3279/FUL as residents of Cotmore Gardens.  Mr Mariner had lived in Cotmore Gardens for over 12 years and in his spare time took part in wildlife surveys organised by various national groups.  He had also spent time in his own garden and neighbouring gardens introducing ponds and bird boxes to encourage wildlife into the area.  The National Planning Policy Framework encouraged developments to make net gains to biodiversity and Mr Mariner sought to request some form of mitigation against the loss of wildlife that would result from the proposed development.

 

Over the last 10 years Mr Mariner had identified 60 species of birds, three of which were on the RSPB red list, also a large number of different moths together with bats, breeding frogs and toads and hedgehogs.  The proposed development would result in loss of trees and hedgerow and restriction of wildlife movement.  In particular the proposed removal of the hedge to the front of the property would remove habitat for nesting birds.

 

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

Attention was drawn to item 6 – Moorend Lane Farm, since the last meeting Town Councillors and Officers had visited the site and had been given an informative tour by the contractor and site owner.  An officer from Oxfordshire County Council’s Environment & Economy Department also attended.

 

Councillors were satisfied that the work being carried out on site was within the terms agreed within the approved planning applications and that the retrospective application to increase the height of the bund was acceptable.

 

A letter would be sent to Oxfordshire County Council stating that the Town Council had no further comment.

 

 

 9540
P15/S3147/HH 3 SYCAMORE DRIVE
Erection of a first floor side extension over existing garage and a two-storey front extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

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

 

 9541
P15/S3154/HH 30 ONSLOW DRIVE
Two storey and single storey rear extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

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

 

 9542
P15/S3176/HH 18 EAST STREET
Proposed demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with a single storey extension.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON7, D1, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

 

 

 

 9543
P15/S3083/FUL 30A UPPER HIGH STREET
Completion of first floor extension as detailed in P95/N0155 with the addition of proposed high level windows in rear elevation.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESD20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D4, D10, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3
  
 9544
P15/S3219/HH ACORN LODGE, MORETON
Proposed detached garage/workshop.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Comment:  Concern was raised as to future occupancy in view of the former garage being converted to a dwelling.

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

 

 9545
P15/3141/HH WINDY RIDGE, 37 SOUTHERN ROAD
Single storey extension at the rear.  Extension at the first floor level at the rear.  Alterations to storm porch at the front.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Overlooking (side window)
2. Unneighbourly
3. Overbearing
Comment:  Neighbours had raised concern about the accuracy of the plans included with the application.

 

 9547
P15/S3199/LB THE OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHURCH ROAD
Forming lobby and opening together with cosmetic stone decorative surrounds and oak timber panelling.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Lack of clarity – Information contained within the application did not explain clearly the changes to the building.

 

Comment:  It was felt that:

a) It was reprehensible that the work had already been carried out without gaining the necessary permission.
b) The Grammar School building was one of the most important historic buildings in the town.
c) Any damage caused to the Listed Building by the work should be made good to a standard agreed by the District Conservation Officer.

 

 9548
P15/S3269/FUL LUCY SWITCHGEAR, HOWLAND ROAD
Retrospective application for outdoor smoking shelter.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS13, ESDQ16, ESDQ22, ESDQ26, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D4
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3
 9549
P15/S3326/HH BRAMLEY COTTAGE, 60 EAST STREET
Reconfigure existing loft conversion, 2 no. new rear dormer windows and internal remodelling.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON7, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

 

 9550
P15/S3310/HH 33 CHURCHILL CRESCENT
Single storey rear extension (conversion of existing conservatory).
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

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

 

 9551
P15/S3279/FUL 27 COTMORE GARDENS
Demolition of garage and erection of new chalet style dwelling.  Amendment to parking for no. 27 and new dwelling.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. Overdevelopment
2. Poor design
3. Access and parking

 

Comment:  It was felt that:

a) The proposal would result in the loss of on street parking.
b) The design would result in a totally different frontage which would have an adverse effect on the street scene.
c) In the event that planning permission was granted a condition should be included to protect the biodiversity of the area, particularly in relation to wild birds, bats and the removal of trees and hedgerows.

 

 9552
P15/S3331/HH 12A NELSON STREET
First floor extension at rear and new rear window in existing bedroom and new access door in existing wall to new utility.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies:CON7, D1, D2, D4, H13, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

 

 

a) Transport Representative – In Cllr Stiles absence there was nothing to report.

 

The items for information were noted.

 

Members discussed the application to extend the opening hours at Domino’s Pizza, 19a High Street.  After discussion it was agreed that the Council would write to the Licencing Department at the District Council to express their concern.

 

The meeting concluded at 7.29pm

 

 

 

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 10 November 2015