21 March 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 21 March 2023 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

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

Officers

M Sturdy, Town Clerk
G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Austin (personal) and Deacock (personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Jake Collinge spoke against planning application P23/S0934/HH (27 Sycamore Drive) as a nearby resident, and on behalf of other neighbours. In principle, there was no objection to extending the property as a number of other properties on the Chiltern Vale estate had been carefully and sensitively extended. The proposals at 27 Sycamore Drive would have a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area, and on neighbouring amenity. The Chiltern Vale estate is characterised by ridge heights of no more than 5m which creates a coherent residential area. The Thame Neighbourhood Plan defines the Chiltern Vale estate as a character area. The District Council’s Design Guide states the extensions should be sensitive to the street scene. The proposals would see the existing bungalow converted to a two-storey dwelling with a 2metre ridge height increase to 7metres. The sheer scale of the roofscape would be a visually intrusive and harmful feature, with no resemblance of the existing dwelling. Furthermore, the proposed height of the side extension would be higher than the existing dwelling. This could set a dangerous precedent, particularly for other corner plots. In terms of neighbouring amenity, the proposals would create overlooking in private gardens, and the mass and bulk of the extensions would affect light and outlook. The Town Council was asked to object to the proposals. A number of neighbouring residents were in attendance and applauded Mr Collinge’s comments.

What were the heights of the other extensions on the estate which had been approved? A property on Cedar Crescent had raised its roof height, although the differential was substantially less than this proposal. It was noted that the property on Cedar Crescent was not a corner plot, and permission was granted before the latest design guide.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding planning application P23/S0934/HH.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 28 February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1662 – H & C PEARCE & SONS LTD AYLESBURY ROAD – AMENDMENT NO.1

Full planning permission for the erection of 21 dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and open space. (as amended by drawings and information received 1 March 2023).
P22/S4155/FUL

OBJECTS

- - Poor amenity space for Plots 20 and 21, contrary to LP Policy CF5 and TNP Policy ESDQ28.
  - Poor design that does not enhance the setting of the Conservation Area contrary to LP 2034 Policy ENV6 and TNP Policy ESDQ16.
  - Flood risk
  - Occupiers of the social housing would be unfairly disadvantaged due to lack of amenity / play space and site layout.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ27, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, ENV6

1687 – TITHE BARN, CHURCH ROAD

Internal renovations and re-organisation of ground floor. Adjustment of existing barn doors to accommodate a new glazed entrance design to the west elevation.
P23/S0503/FUL

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15 ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

1688 – TITHE BARN, CHURCH ROAD

Internal renovations and re-organisation of ground floor. Adjustment of existing barn doors to accommodate a new glazed entrance design to the west elevation.
P23/S0504/LB

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15 ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ26
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

1692 – 2 GRENVILLE WAY

Single storey front and rear extensions and amendment to fenestration throughout, including garage conversion.
P23/S0680/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - The committee regret the loss of the garage for its original purpose.
  - Subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

1693 – OFFICE LAND AT PHOENIX PARK (BELLWAY DEVELOPMENT), HOWLAND ROAD

The erection of 9 x 2-bedroom apartments with associated parking and landscaping.
P23/S0690/FUL

OBJECTS

- - Poor design – inappropriate bulk and scale.
  - Poor amenity space – in terms of quality and amount.
  - Poor quality of living due to noise and air pollution from Howland Road.
  - Lack of affordable housing provision contrary to LP 2034 Policy H9 and TNP Policy H8.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: DES3, GA2, GA6, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ27
SODC Local Plan Policies: TH1, TRANS4, TRANS5, EP4, H8, H9, H11

1694 – 2 GARDEN CITY

Variation of condition 2 (Approved plans) on application P20/S1777/FUL to add air source heat pump to each dwelling. (Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a 3-bedroom detached dwelling (Plot 1) and a 4-bedroom detached dwelling (Plot 2)).
P23/S0387/S73

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - Subject to no objection from the Environmental Protection Team.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ13, ESDQ16, ESDQ27
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV12, H16, STRAT1

1695 – FIELD REAR OF TITHE BARN, CHURCH ROAD

Repair of collapsed stone wall along the border with Priest End with a proposed access gate installed.
P23/S0631/FUL

OBJECTS

- - The proposed access gate is not necessary in the Conservation Area. It would introduce a gateway of considerable size that would impact upon the historic walled enclosure that encompassed both St Marys Church and its former ecclesiastical buildings, which include the Tithe Barn. It is felt this is unnecessary given that access to the site is available from Church Road.

Comment: The committee support the repair of the stone wall.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DESS2, DES3, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV8

1696 – 72 COTMORE CLOSE

Internal amendments to details approved on P20/S3423/HH and retrospective application for summer house, tool store and bin store.
P23/S0515/FUL

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ27, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8

1697 – 22 QUEENS CLOSE

Single storey front extension, conversion of garage (previously converted in part) and construction of new pitched roof to replace flat roof on existing 2 storey side extension.
P23/S0642/HH

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

- - The loss of the garage for its original purpose is regrettable.

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

1703 – 27 SYCAMORE DRIVE

Removal of existing garage. New single storey front & rear extensions. New garage. New pitched roof over original roof location & existing flat roof. New loft conversion.
P23/S0934/HH

OBJECTS

- - Out of character
  - Contrary to SODC’s Design Guide

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20, TRANS5

6 For Information

The items for information were noted.

7 Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) – RAF Brize Norton

It was noted that the Town Council has been consulted on the Design Principles (Stage 1, Step B) consultation by the Ministry of Defence as a stakeholder within 30miles of RAF Brize Norton. It was agreed that no comment would be made at this time.

The meeting concluded at 7:26pm.

Signed …………………….

Chairman, 2 May 2023