Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chairman. 

None.

Item 7 on the agenda – P16/S4062/O – land east of Chalgrove had been deferred to allow for a site visit.

None.

To receive any statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on planning applications which are being presented to this committee meeting. 

The list showing seven members of the public who had registered to speak was tabled at the meeting.

This application has been deferred from consideration at committee on 5 April to allow for a site visit.

Outline planning application for the erection of up to 120 residential dwellings and space for a community facility (Class D1/D2) with associated highways, landscaping and open space, with all matters reserved except access.

Outline planning application P16/S4062/O to erect up to 120 residential dwellings and space for a community facility with associated highways, landscaping and open space with all matters reserved except access on land east of Chalgrove, was deferred from consideration at committee to allow for a site visit.

Redevelopment to form 41 sheltered apartments for the elderly, including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping.

Lorraine Hillier arrived part way through the officer’s presentation and was therefore unable to debate or vote on this item.

The committee considered application P16/S3525/FUL to redevelop Thames Valley Police Station to form 41 sheltered apartments for the elderly, including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping on Greyhound Lane, Thame.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Officer update: 30 further letters of support had been received regarding the health and welfare benefits of the development.

Graeme Markland and Bob Austin, representatives of Thame town council, spoke objecting to the application. Their concerns included the following:

·         The focus of the officer’s report puts too much emphasis on comparing this application with the appeal scheme;

·         Highway safety concerns due to Greyhound Lane being narrow with a steep gradient and lack of pavement;

·         The site access is insufficiently wide for delivery vehicles, ambulances or refuse lorries;

·         Parking is inadequate and would cause displacement in the town;

·         Air quality has not been sufficiently addressed;

·         Shading concerns; and

·         Querying the legality of land ownership.

Simon Cater, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application:

·         The site is a safe, secure, self-contained development with communal facilities and landscaped gardens;

·         According to the inspector’s assessment of the appeal scheme, the parking was deemed sufficient – this proposal has fewer apartments and therefore a higher parking allocation;

·         The conservation officer is satisfied with the scheme;

·         The communal amenity spaces are sufficient;

·         The developers can be on site quickly, potentially starting in May this year; and

·         Contributions will be put towards public transport.

Bridget Trueman and Angela Wilson, two local residents, spoke objecting to the application. Their concerns included the following:

·         Happy with the site being redeveloped into retirement flats, but have major concerns with parking and access;

·         A second access would be desirable; and

·         The Thame neighbourhood plan requests 40% affordable housing for all new developments, which this does not comply with.

Nigel Champken-Woods, one of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         This site is a gateway into Thame and the design should reflect this with frontages on the front of the premises;

·         The design is poor with confusing elevations;

·         Greyhound Lane is too steep and has no pavement, which will be dangerous for the elderly; and

·         There is not enough parking.

David Dodds, one of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         This is a tight development with insufficient amenity space and parking;

·         Access concerns;

·         Traffic backs up on Greyhound Lane especially on weekends, market days and Christmas; and

·         The scheme does not pay regard to the neighbourhood plan.

In response to objections and questions raised by committee members, the case officer reported that:

·         The recent inspector’s report deemed the refuse lorry stopping time would be sufficiently short to not cause issues;

·         Ambulances will not require a dedicated parking space  ...  view the full minutes text for item 236.

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of three three-bedroom two-storey dwellings with parking and amenity space.

The committee considered application P17/S0080/O to demolish the existing buildings and erect three three-bedroom two-storey dwellings with parking and amenity space at 69 Park Street, Thame.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Graeme Markland and Bob Austin, representatives of Thame town council, spoke objecting to the application. Their concerns included the following:

·         Contrary to policy regarding suitable infill developments;

·         There are currently no vacant commercial units in Thame, which is a different situation to when there were seven available at the time of the previous application;

·         Developments recently granted permission in close proximity to the site will need access to shops;

·         Concern for parking and highway safety as cars will need to reverse 90 degrees over the pavement to exit the site; and

·         Request for a vehicle turning point.

Jake Collinge, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application:

·         There is an extant permission for an identical application, for which the same policies applied;

·         The premises could be converted to residential within permitted development rights;

·         It is a highly sustainable location and respects the pattern of the street and conservation area; and

·         There are no highways objections.

David Dodds, one of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The loss of commercial units; and

·         Concerns for parking and access safety.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P17/S0080/O, subject to the following conditions:

1.    That the development to which this permission relates shall be begun not later than whichever is the later of the following dates (a) the expiration of three years from the date of this permission; or (b) the expiration of two years from the final approval of the reserved matters, or in the case of approval on different dates, the final approval of the last such matter to be approved.

2.    In the case of any reserved matter, application for approval must be made not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the grant of outline planning permission.

3.    Prior to the first occupation of the development, car parking spaces shall be provided within the curtilage of the site so that motor vehicles may enter and park off of the highway. The parking areas shall be constructed, laid out, surfaced, drained and completed in strict accordance with specification details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. The car parking areas shall be retained unobstructed except for the parking and manoeuvring of motor vehicles at all times.

4.    Cycle parking facilities shall be provided prior to the occupation of the development hereby approved, in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 237.

Conversion from one residential property into two apartments.

The committee considered application P17/S0129/FUL to convert one residential property into two apartments at 67 Park Street, Thame.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Graeme Markland and Bob Austin, representatives of Thame council, spoke objecting to the application.

Giles Brockbank, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P17/S0129/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

1.    The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

2.    That the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans

3.    Prior to first occupation of the first floor flat, privacy screening to the roof terrace shall be provided in accordance with the approved plan. The screening shall be glazed in obscure glass with a minimum of level 3 obscurity and it shall be retained at a minimum height of 1.5m from floor level.

4.    That the development hereby approved shall not commence until a detailed specification of the type, design and external finish of all windows and external doors has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

5.    Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved, the parking and turning areas shall be provided in accordance with drawing no. MDL-1251-PL120 and shall be constructed, laid out, surfaced, drained and completed to be compliant with sustainable drainage (SuDS) principles, and shall be retained unobstructed except for the parking of vehicles associated with the development at all times.

To erect an attached two-storey two-bedroom dwelling including new vehicular access.

The committee considered application P17/S0168/FUL to erect an attached two-storey two-bedroom dwelling including new vehicular access at 24 Panters Road, Cholsey.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P17/S0168/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement three years - full planning permission.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    New vehicular access.

4.    Parking and manoeuvring areas retained.

Replacement windows on rear of property and replacement front door.

The committee considered application P17/S0171/HH to replace windows on the rear of the property and to replace the front door at 7 Croft Terrace, Wallingford.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application, subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement three - full planning permission.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    Materials as on plan.