23 February 2016 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 23 February 2016 at 6.30pm In the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present: Cllrs B Austin, D Bretherton (Deputy Chairman), M Deacock, N Dixon (Town Mayor), D Dodds, L Emery (Deputy Mayor), H Fickling (Chairman),
A Midwinter, M Stiles and T Wyse
Officers
C Pinnells, Community Services Manager
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Cowell (Business) and Graham Hunt, Town Clerk.

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Deacock declared an interest in item 6 as a resident of Cotmore Gardens.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Holt spoke for planning application P16/S0338/FUL. Mr Holt had been actively seeking suitable premises in Thame to open a children’s day nursery. Demand for places at the nursery in Long Crendon was high with a waiting list of 96 children, of which 60% lived in Thame.

The new facility would offer 9am – 6pm day nursery care, 51 weeks of the year, from babies to children aged 4 years after which typically a child would start pre-school. The industrial unit is located in Jefferson Way close to Whizzkidz and within walking distance of the planned new housing developments. The current layout would change from 75% warehouse / distribution and 25% office space to 70% office space and 30% warehouse space with a double height ceiling providing an indoor play area for the children. There would be adequate parking with the provision of 13 spaces.

The green open space to the rear of the unit would be retained and a new boundary fence erected. This would be used as a garden area with planters. The area currently used as the loading bay would be converted to a soft play area. Older children would have the opportunity to explore outside the nursery with members of staff taking them on short walks, possibly along the Phoenix Trail.

The company currently based in the industrial unit employs three members of staff. The new nursery would provide employment for 10-12 full time members of staff plus two part time staff.

Cllr Fickling entered the meeting at the beginning of this item.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

9582
P15/S2536/A SMARTS FISH & CHIP SHOP, 41 UPPER HIGH STREET
Amendment No. 1
New advertising signs to the shop front. Main sign 3845 x 525 mm hand painted wooden panel with moulded wood surround. Overhead swing-sign; hand painted graphics to match the main.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to the removal of the illumination of the swing sign, the two advertisement flags attached to the building and no objection from the Conservation Officer.

The Committee regretted that the application was retrospective and that permission had not been sought prior to the work being completed.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON3, CON5, CON7, CON8, D1, AD1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEM1, CST1, CSEN3

9588
P15/S4328/FUL REAR OF 1 & 2 MOATS CRESCENT
Amendment No. 1
Erection of two no. two bed bungalows (supplemented by plans received 5 January 2016 Drawing ref 01 & 02) (Amended by plans MCT 155 2.1 & MCT 155 3.1 to alter appearance of dwellings).
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
1. The proposals represent a cramped and unacceptable form of backland development harmful to the character of the area.
2. The design of the bungalows is bland and uninspiring and fails to respect or reflect the locally distinctive design qualities of Thame.
3. The increased use of the access would adversely affect neighbouring amenity by reason of noise and disturbance
4. The amenities of Plot 1 would be unacceptably compromised by the use of the access, parking and turning of vehicles connected with Plot 2.
5. Insufficient parking is provided, leading to additional on-street parking in Moats Crescent that would be detrimental to highway safety, with the access of insufficient width to serve two dwellings.

9601
P16/S0237/LB LASHLAKE HOUSE, AYLESBURY ROAD
Single storey rear extension and part side extension, reinstatement of historic chimney and internal alterations to include reinstating fireplace in dining room and creation of two new bathrooms and alterations to layout of existing first floor bathroom.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON2, CON3, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9602
P16/S0235/HH LASHLAKE HOUSE, AYLESBURY ROAD
Single storey rear extension and part side extension, reinstatement of historic chimney and internal alterations to include reinstating fireplace in dining room and creation of two new bathrooms and alterations to layout of existing first floor bathroom.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON2, CON3, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

9604
P16/S0381/HH 27 SOUTHERN ROAD
Single storey extension at the rear.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

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

9605
P16/S0307/LB SMARTS, 41 UPPER HIGH STREET
Proposed replacement of illuminated sign to shop frontage and handing sign (resubmission of P15/S2536/A and P15/S3813/LB).
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Subject to the removal of the illumination of the swing sign, the two advertisement flags attached to the building and no objection from the Conservation Officer.

The Committee regretted that the application was retrospective and that permission had not been sought prior to the work being completed.

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: CON3, CON5, CON7, CON8, D1, AD1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEM1, CST1, CSEN3

9606
P16/S0338/FUL UNITS 10-12, JEFFERSON WAY
Change the use of a two storey B1 office building into a children’s day nursey.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, WS13, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D4, E5, E8, T2, AD1
Core Strategy Policies:CSQ3, CSEM4

6 P15/S3279/FUL – 27 Cotmore Gardens

Cllr Dixon, accompanied by Cllr Emery, had attended the District Planning meeting on Wednesday 10 February 2016. Cllr Dixon spoke against planning application P15/S3279/FUL sighting the points raised by the Town Council and corresponding references to the Thame Neighbourhood Plan as the reasons why Thame Town Council had recommended refusal.

The agent for the applicant spoke in favour of the planning application following which there was some discussion by the District Planning Committee. When put to the vote it was agreed to approve the application.

Members of the Town Council noted that the approval was subject to a large number of planning conditions and that Permitted Development Rights had been withdrawn. However, Members felt that this application had not complied with the Neighbourhood Plan and the policies contained within it and that a letter be sent to the District Council explaining in the strongest of terms the Council’s concern.

7 Tythrop Way / Kingsey Roundabout

Following a series of vehicle accidents at the Tythrop Way / Kingsey Roundabout the Town Council had written to Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police to raise their concerns.

Members were disappointed that a full report of the County Council’s investigations had not been received and questioned the installation of markers to one side of the roundabout ahead of the report being published.

It was agreed to write to the County Council again to request a copy of the inspection report.

8 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – Cllr Stiles referred to her report and stated that 261 signatures had been collected on the petition to save the 120 / 121 / 123/ 124 bus service. Cllr Stiles thanked Council staff and thamenews.net for their help in publicising the petition which was presented to the Oxfordshire County Council Full Council meeting on 16 February 2016. Although a cut to all bus subsidies was agreed in the Budget, it was hoped that some of the extra funding from Government would be used to help keep some of the services running, albeit less frequently.

Members thanked Cllr Stiles for organising the petition and speaking at the County Council meeting.

9 For Information

The items for information were noted.

Members requested that a letter be written to the District Street Naming and Numbering Officer to seek clarification on item b) the change of property name from Elms Barn.

The meeting concluded at 7.21pm

Signed ……………………..
Chairman, 15 March 2016