Agenda item

The erection of 37 dwellings and creation of new public open space, provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian/ cycle link onto Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping.

The committee considered application P14/S2176/FUL for the erection of 37 dwellings and creation of new public open space, provision of new vehicle access from Elms Road and a new pedestrian/cycle link onto Upper High Street with associated infrastructure works and landscaping.

The planning officer reported that, since the publication of the report, one additional objection had been received. Further to a member site visit held yesterday she reported that:

·         The distance from the rear of the Old Baptist House to the side elevation of the new house, at the closest point, was 25m. The South Oxfordshire Design Guide did not recommend side to back distances but recommended back to back distances of 25m.

·         There were windows on the side elevation of the proposed property, which was to the rear of Old Baptist House.  These would serve a kitchen and family room at ground floor, a lounge area at first floor and an en-suite at second floor.

·         The existing brown gates on High Street were shown as remaining; however their removal could be secured by condition. There were provisions within the S106 agreement requiring the proposed footpaths through the site to remain open, only being shut if maintenance work was required and the district council had been given notice of the closure.

The planning officer reported that she was recommending the inclusion of additional conditions requiring:

·         Sample materials of the new roads.

·         Details of rising bollards or other suitable traffic restriction measures for the new vehicular access off Elms Road to prevent non-residents parking in this area, together with a similar measure for access off High Street.

·         Restriction of garage conversion.

·         Details of the removal of the entrance gates and the restoration of brick pillars.

Mary Stiles, a representative of Thame Town Council, spoke objecting to the application.

Adrian Reynolds, a local resident and Dr Paul Winson, representing The Elms Petition Group, spoke objecting to the application.

Jolande Bowater, Mark Sitch and Peter Cross, representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

David Dodds, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application with additional conditions, as recommended by the planning officer, was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to authorise the Head of Planning to grant planning permission for application P14/S2176/FUL at The Elms, Thame, subject to:

i)          Prior completion of the S106 agreements with the County Council and District Council requiring provisions for the terms listed in Appendix 6 and

ii)      Detailed conditions in accordance with the summary set out below.

            :

1.         Commencement three years

2.         Approved plans

3.         Sample materials

4.         Removal of permitted development rights A, B, C, D, E

5.         New vehicle access

6.         Vision splay details

7.         New estate road

8.         Estate accesses –driveway and turning areas

9.         Plan of car parking provision

10.      Cycle parking facilities

11.      Construction traffic management

12.      No surface water to drain onto highway

13.      Resident info pack – travel plan

14.      Archaeology

15.      Signposting

16.      Air quality

17.      Tree pit details

18.      Arboricultural method statement

19.      Sample materials road   

20.      Details of parking /traffic restriction – Elms Road and High Street  

21.      Permitted development restriction of garage conversions

22.      Details of the removal of entrance gates on High Street