25 August 2020 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Virtual Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 25 August 2020 at 6:30pm by Zoom Conference Call.

Present:

Cllrs B Austin, P Cowell, M Deacock, A Dite (Deputy Chairman), D Dodds, L Emery, H Fickling (Chairman), S Francis, K Gregory and T Wyse

Officers

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

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Midwinter (personal). All Members who were present were able to be seen and be heard. Cllr Deacock had intermittent audio issues.

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Emery declared an interest in planning applications P20/S2688/HH and P20/S2729/HH as a resident of the estate. Cllr Francis declared an interest in P20/S1360/FUL as a resident opposite the site. The chairman confirmed these were not pecuniary interests and did not prevent them from debating or voting on these items.

Cllr Dodds declared an interest in P20/S2549/HH as a neighbour, and Cllrs Deacock and Gregory declared an interest in P20/S2729/HH as they knew the applicant. Cllrs Dodds, Deacock and Gregory abstained from voting on these items.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mr Clive Dickson spoke as the applicant on P20/S1360/FUL – 1 Naseby Close (Amendment No.1). Mr Dickson apologised for the poor quality of the initial drawings. The intention of the application was to enclose a piece of land, currently owned by the applicant and classed as ‘open land’, to the side of the property with a fence and beech hedge. The land in question is currently derelict, and it was felt that the planting of a hedge would encourage diversity and ecosystems. This would match that of 1 and 2 Digby Close. Mr Dickson advised that he had spoken to neighbouring residents who agreed it would be an improvement to the area. The existing wall is also at risk of collapsing and has been identified by SODC Building Control as a dangerous wall structure. The proposed hedge and fence have been confirmed as acceptable by the County Highways Officer.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding P20/S1360/FUL.

Ms Jamie Michelle spoke against planning application P20/S2729/HH – 44 Cedar Crescent. The initial application was reasonable to raise the floor level to mitigate flooding concerns. However this application, and the previous application, represents overdevelopment that is out of character within the estate. The two bedroom bungalow now has potential to be a six-bedroom house. The proposal seeks to extend the width of the gable along the length of the house which will result in loss of light to three windows at 42 Cedar Crescent. The plans do not show floor or height levels, and fail to demonstrate that the roof lights would provide an alternate means of escape. The statement suggests that the proposal could be undertaken under the new Permitted Development Order, however it was felt this application would not qualify as it is building over the conservatory (not part of the original build), is reliant on roof lights and the steepness of the roof slope is far steeper than the original roof. Overall it was felt this application represented creeping development that would be out of character and a disastrous precedent.

It was confirmed that no building work had taken place for any of the applications so far.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding P20/S2729/HH.

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

5 Planning Applications

1277
P20/S1360/FUL – 1 NASEBY CLOSE – AMENDMENT NO.1
Demolition of damaged garden wall and replacing with a new fence approximately 2m high. The new fence will enclose part of open land registered on the property deeds as being part of the property and includes a change of use from open land to residential garden (as shown in amended plans received 24th July 2020)

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ1, ESDQ8, ESDQ16, ESDQ28
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, C1, D1, D3, D4
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN1

1285
P20/S2566/HH – 16 ARNOLD WAY
Proposed single storey side/rear extension and proposed new front bay window extension.

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ22
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D3, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

1287
P20/S2525/FUL – 8 QUEENS ROAD
New detached dwelling in the plot to the rear of No8 and No10 Queens Road Thame.

OBJECTS

Overdevelopment
Loss of amenity space
Unneighbourly

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H7, GA3, GA6, CLW4, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ14, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: G5, G6, EP6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D11, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSTHA1, CSH2, CSQ2, CSQ3

1288
P20/S2545/FUL – 6 KINGS CLOSE
Erection of two-storey 1-bedroom end of terrace dwelling, and two storey rear extension and single storey front extension to the existing dwelling.

OBJECTS

Poor amenity space (at 6a Kings Close)
Overdevelopment (at 6a Kings Close)
Loss of natural light (at 6 Kings Close resulting from proposed rear extension)
Would introduce an incongruous element to the street scene in not setting back the built form from the pavement

1289
P20/S2549/HH – 9 GADGE CLOSE
Convert integral garage into living accommodation. Form gravel surfaced parking space. Alterations to window/door openings in front and rear elevations.

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

The loss of the garage for its original purpose is regrettable

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

1290
P20/S2661/HH – HAMPDEN HOUSE, MORETON
Detached pool building.

OBJECTS

Insufficient detail on noise impacts
Impact on neighbouring amenity

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ11, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, C1, C4, C9, EP2, D1, D2, D3, D4, D10, D11, R2, EP3, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

With the time approaching 7.30pm, it was proposed and agreed to suspend Standing Orders in order to conclude the remaining business on the agenda.

1291
P20/S2688/HH – 40 CEDAR CRESCENT
Amendment to previous planning application (P19/S4657/HH) – Extend garage and convert garage to living accommodation and extend canopy to main entrance to now include for altering and converting store at rear of garage including extended decking.

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D3, D4, H13, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

Cllr Gregory left the meeting during this item due to loss of internet connection.

1292
P20/S2751/FUL – 99 HIGH STREET
New door access to first floor flat from High Street, new shop frontage and new windows to front façade.

SUPPORTS and has a RESPONSE:

Subject to No Objection from the District Conservation Officer

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS2, WS7, WS8, WS13, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ17, ESDQ19, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, TC8, AD1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CST1, CSEN3

1293
P20/S2729/HH – 44 CEDAR CRESCENT
Variation of condition 2 (approved Plans) of application P19/S0998/HH (Single storey rear and side extension and alterations) -To allow for alterations to the approved scheme to facilitate provision of first floor accommodation within roof void.

OBJECTS

Out of character
Unneighbourly
Overdevelopment
Impact on Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ21, ESDQ22
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D2, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

1294
P20/S2914/FUL – THE OLD AUCTION ROOM AYLESBURY ROAD
Change of use from commercial storage building to residential storage & garage, with new side entrance & widening principle entrance.

OBJECTS

Loss of employment use

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON3, CON4, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, E5, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

1295
P20/S2716/LB – THE OLD AUCTION ROOM AYLESBURY ROAD
Change of use from commercial storage building to residential storage & garage, with new side entrance & widening principle entrance.

SUPPORTS

Neighbourhood Plan Policies: WS12, ESDQ15, ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ20, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON3, CON4, CON5, CON7, D1, D2, E5, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

6 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a) Transport Representative – Cllr Francis noted the changes to the 40 Bus Service which had been circulated by the Town Clerk recently. It was reported that no funding from the second tranche of Government funding to OCC for their Active Travel plans would be available for Thame.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

The meeting concluded at 8:10pm.

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 15 September 2020