25 February 2020 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on 25 February 2020 at 6:30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

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

Officers

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

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Francis (Personal).

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

Cllr Deacock declared an interest in P20/S0406/O as a previous resident of Willow Road.

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

Mrs Stiles and Ms Thomas spoke against Planning Application P20/S0406/O as (and on behalf of) residents of Willow Road. Mrs Stiles gave ten grounds for objection to the application:

  1. Privacy – particularly affecting daylight to the rear of No.15 Willow Road.
  2. Parking – the development would exacerbate parking issues within the street. The entrance to the new dwelling would be narrow and it is likely that the occupants of the existing dwelling at 17 Willow Road would park on the street.
  3. Traffic – additional vehicles would present an increased danger as a result of existing parking issues.
  4. Drainage – existing drainage problems would be exacerbated by an additional dwelling on the street.
  5. Water Course – the plans do not show the culvert that exists at the rear of 17 Willow Road. This culvert partially collapsed recently under a garage on Brookside.
  6. Black Poplar Tree – this large tree (over 80ft tall) has extensive roots which would be damaged by the proposed development. The tree is also shown smaller and in the wrong position on the plans.
  7. Other Trees / Wildlife – the existing trees on the site are described as dead / dying on the plans, however they are deciduous and therefore dormant due to winter and provide an important habitat for birds and bats.
  8. Amenity Space – the plans show a lack of outdoor space for either properties.
  9. Site Access – access to the site for construction vehicles would be difficult, given the aforementioned parking problems, and there is no rear access to the site.
  10. Boundary anomalies – the submitted plans show the site as being a different shape and larger than the 1987 Land Registry Map.

Mrs Stiles and Ms Thomas felt therefore the application was unneighbourly and contrary to the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.

Members then discussed and made a recommendation regarding P20/S0406/O – 17 Willow Road.

4 Minutes

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

5 Planning Applications

1242
P20/S0319/HH – 31 BEECH ROAD
Single storey side extension, changes to window detail and render to front apex.
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

1243
P20/S0385/FUL – LAND NEAR THE OLD DAIRY MORETON
Change of use of agricultural land to allow the siting of two shepherd huts for holiday letting purposes and associated infrastructure.
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19, ESDQ21, ESDQ22, ESDQ28, ESDQ29
SODC Local Plan Policies: G2, G4, G6, C1, EP2, D1, D2, D4, D10, H18, EP3, T1, T2, TSM1
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ2, CSQ3, CSEM1

1244
P20/S0406/O – 17 WILLOW ROAD
Erection of single dwelling on land at 17 Willow Road, Thame
OBJECTS

  1. Unneighbourly
  2. Overdevelopment
  3. Increased risk of flooding to neighbouring properties
  4. Parking
  5. Poor site access, particularly for construction vehicles
  6. Impact on the roots of the Black Poplar Tree

Comment: The committee noted inaccuracies in the land ownership plans. The committee felt that if this application was approved, it would bring the planning process into disrepute.
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: H5, H7, GA3, CLW4, ESDQ10, ESDQ11, ESDQ12, ESDQ13, ESDQ14, ESDQ16, ESDQ18, ESDQ19, ESDQ26, ESDQ27, ESDQ28, ESDQ29, D1
SODC Local Plan Policies: D1, D2, D3, D4, D10, T1, T2
Core Strategy Policies: CSTHA1, CSQ2, CSQ3

1245
P19/S4401/HH – 14 NELSON STREET
Re-building of a retaining wall for the garden backing directly onto Rooks Lane.
NO OBJECTIONS
Subject to no objection from the District Conservation Officer
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ20
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, CON7, D1, D3
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3, CSEN3

1246
P20/S0456/HH – 8 GARDEN CITY
Proposed loft conversion including 2 no. hip to gable side extensions and a rear facing dormer window extension. Proposed single storey rear extension (replacing existing conservatory).
NO OBJECTIONS
Neighbourhood Plan Policies: ESDQ16, ESDQ19
SODC Local Plan Policies: G6, D1, D4, H13
Core Strategy Policies: CSQ3

6 Reports from Town Council Representatives

a)    Transport Representative – There was nothing to report.

7 For Information

The items for information were noted.

Cllr Emery expressed disappointment that the planning application at 44 Cedar Crescent had not been ‘called in’ to SODC’s Planning Committee by any of the three District Councillors and that the application had subsequently been granted planning permission by the Planning Officers at SODC. It was explained that SODC Officers have deadlines to meet and unfortunately this sometimes means there is a small window for District Councillors to call-in applications following the Town Council’s Planning & Environment Committee. Members welcomed a meeting between the Town Clerk and Head of Planning at SODC to discuss the matter.

The meeting concluded at 7:11pm.

 

 

Signed ……………………..

Chairman, 17 March 2020