21 November 2023 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

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

Present:

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

Officers

G Markland, Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Officer
L Fuller, Committee Services & Processes Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Baines (personal), Jones (personal) and Swan (personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Regarding planning application P23/S3667/LB – Thame Museum, all Members were reminded that they have a general dispensation to speak and vote on any planning application where the Town Council is the building owner.

A dispensation was also in place to enable Cllrs Cowell, Dite, Dodds and Emery to speak and vote on any matter relating to Thame Museum.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr. Bond spoke as the planning agent for planning application P23/S3454/FUL. Chinnor Rugby Club received planning permission in 2013 for various extensions and improvement projects, although not all were implemented. The current application is for a subset of the earlier application. A non-planning reason to support the application is that the club have a one-time opportunity to apply for grant funding from the Rugby Football Union as a result of England hosting the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Given the current success of the club, were further extensions likely? Whilst a long-term aspiration of the club is to improve its facilities and game, it is governed by funds.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding P23/S3454/FUL.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 17 October 2023 were received.

RESOLVED that:

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2023 are confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1762 – 34 UPPER HIGH STREET – AMENDMENT NO.1

The erection of a two storey extension to accommodate office space connected to the existing building, and the change of use of part of the existing listed building from commercial to one residential dwelling (Amended location plan received 31st August 2023, omitting neighbour’s garage from the site area. Further statement received 27th October 2023, together with revised plans altering the proposed rear extension.)
P23/S2463/LB

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, EMP3, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P23/S2463/LB (Amendment No.1) on the following grounds:
1. Loss of employment without proof of lack of viability, market interest, or nuisance to nearby residents / the environment contrary to Local Plan 2035 (LP 2035) Policy EMP3.
2. Bicycle parking is not secure for residential use, and not provided for the office use, contrary to LP 2035 Policies DES1 and TRANS5.
3. All vehicles would not be able to leave the site in forward gear.
4. Quality of amenity space is contrary to TNP Policy ESDQ28 and SODC Design Guidance.

1763 – 34 UPPER HIGH STREET – AMENDMENT NO.1

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, EMP3, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P23/S2462/FUL (Amendment No.1) on the following grounds:
1. Loss of employment without proof of lack of viability, market interest, or nuisance to nearby residents / the environment contrary to Local Plan 2035 (LP 2035) Policy EMP3.
2. Bicycle parking is not secure for residential use, and not provided for the office use, contrary to LP 2035 Policies DES1 and TRANS5.
3. All vehicles would not be able to leave the site in forward gear.
4. Quality of amenity space is contrary to TNP Policy ESDQ28 and SODC Design Guidance.

1785 – 14 MASSEY ROAD

Single store rear extension and conversion of garage.
P23/S3385/HH

The Town Council was notified of amended plans on 20 November “(amended plans depicting parking arrangements for site, received 10th November 2023)”. The Town Council considered these amended plans at its meeting.

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3375/HH:
1. Subject to no objection from the County Highways Officer.

1786 – MASONIC HALL, 14 HIGH STREET

Installation of solar panels to south east roof.
P23/S3377/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF1, CF2, DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, DES9, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, STRAT1, TC5, TH1

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3377/FUL:
1. Subject to no objection from the District’s Heritage Officer.

1788 – RECTORY PAVILION, CHINNOR RUGBY CLUB, KINGSEY ROAD

Single storey side extension, to provide two team changing rooms.
P23/S3454/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ10, ESDQ16, ESDQ21
SODC Local Plan Policies: CF2, CF3, CF4, DES8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3454/FUL.

1790 – 3 MARSTON ROAD

Construct single storey front and rear extensions including convert existing garage and provide 3x parking spaces.
P23/S3344/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3344/HH and has comments:
1. The driveway should be constructed using permeable materials.
2. The loss of the hedge is regrettable.

1792 – 17 SYCAMORE DRIVE

Demolition of existing single story extension and garage. Replacement single story rear extension, internal alterations, external insulation and fenestration changes.
P23/S3528/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, GA6, ESDQ16, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3528/HH.

1794 – 3 PUMP LANE

Change of use of upper parts and ground floor access of existing listed building to form two residential flats, with internal alterations and replacement of windows and entrance door.
P23/S3646/FUL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, WS8, GA6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV12, EP3, H3, H16, INF1, TC5, TH1, TRANS2, TRANS4, TRANS5

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P23/S3646/FUL on the following grounds:
1. The loss of employment would be contrary to Local Plan Policy EMP3 and Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy WS7.
2. No objection to the design and finish for the new door and windows, subject to the approval of the District Conservation Officer.

1795 – 3 PUMP LANE

Change of use of upper parts and ground floor access of existing listed building to form two residential flats, with internal alterations and replacement of windows and entrance door.
P23/S3647/LB

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council objects to planning application P23/S3647/LB on the following grounds:
1. The loss of employment would be contrary to Local Plan Policy EMP3 and Thame Neighbourhood Plan Policy WS7.
2. No objection to the design and finish for the new door and windows, subject to the approval of the District Conservation Officer.

1796 – OAK TREE HOUSE, MORETON LANE

Proposed 2-storey side extension to the existing house, 2-storey front extension, 2-storey/single-storey rear extension, loft conversion, single storey rear pool room extension, and single storey side extension with accommodation in the roof space.
P23/S3684/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ16, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV1, H20

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3684/HH and has a comment:
1. The comments from the neighbour were noted. The Town Council would support the provision of a turning space for vehicles.

1797 – THAME MUSEUM

Installation of external signage.
P23/S3667/LB

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council defers consideration of planning application P23/S3667/LB until a site visit has been conducted.

1798 – 11 GREENWAY

Demolition of existing conservatory, rear extension, internal alterations and all associated work.
P23/S3739/HH

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

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3739/HH.

1799 – 53 HIGH STREET

Repair existing fire damaged 2 1/2 storey house – including internal repair & new roof.
P23/S3797/HH

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3797/HH:
1. Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

1800 – 53 HIGH STREET

Repair existing fire damaged 2 1/2 storey house – including internal repair & new roof.
P23/S3798/LB

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H6, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: DES1, DES2, DES3, DES5, DES6, DES7, DES8, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8

RESOLVED that:

Thame Town Council supports planning application P23/S3798/LB:
1. Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer.

6 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 7:15pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 19 December 2023