Agenda item

Alterations to an existing building and use as altered as a builders merchant (storage, distribution, trade counter, offices, tool hire and ancillary retail) with associated external storage, resurfacing of yard, erection of 2.4m high fence and gates. (Amended plans received 22 November 2022 showing some changes to the layout, parking, vehicle tracking and the removal of the new access on Lupton Road and the description has been amended to reflect the removal of the new access on the application. As amended by information received 09 January 2023).

The committee considered planning application P22/S3194/FUL for the alterations to an existing building and use as altered as a builder’s merchant (storage, distribution, trade counter, offices, tool hire and ancillary retail) with associated external storage, resurfacing of yard, erection of 2.4m high fence and gates. (Amended plans received 22 November 2022 showing some changes to the layout, parking, vehicle tracking and the removal of the new access on Lupton Road and the description has been amended to reflect the removal of the new access on the application. As amended by information received 09 January 2023), on land at Whiteleaf Furniture Ltd, Lupton Road 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 the meeting. 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application was brought to the committee due to the objection of Thame Town Council. The site itself formed part of an employment site on the south-eastern edge of Thame and was surrounded by other commercial premises. The planning officer informed the committee that the building was currently unoccupied but that the previous occupant possessed a class b2 general industrial use.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application sought full planning permission to change the use of the building to a builder’s merchant and for associated works to the building and yard. Thame Town Council raised an objection as it did not believe the site would be used for employment and therefore would not comply with the Thame Neighbour Plan. However, the planning officer informed members that the neighbourhood plan was out of date due to the introduction of Class E uses and that the local plan policy, which was adopted after this and did not seek to restrict employment use to specific classes, carried more weight in planning terms. In addition, as the planning officer believed that the builder’s merchants fell within class sui generis as it was a mixture or retail and storage, it would be used for employment and so there would be no conflict with the neighbourhood plan.

The planning officer also informed members that the location of the site within an industrial estate was appropriate for the proposed use and that the proposed physical alterations would be in keeping with surroundings. Also, as the nearest residential properties were over 90 metres away from the site with intervening buildings and activity in the area, it would not be detrimental to neighbouring amenity. Finally, the planning officer confirmed that the highway officer had no objection as the amended plans removed a previously proposed highway access.

Overall, as there were no objections from technical consultees, and the planning officer did not believe there would be an adverse impact on neighbouring amenity, he recommended the application should be approved subject to conditions.

Councillor Linda Emery spoke on behalf of Thame Town Council, objecting to the application. 

Christopher Kendall, the applicant, spoke in support of the application. 

The committee inquired about the two letters of support for the application and if they were from local residents or business. The planning officer confirmed that the letters were received from local businesses. In addition, the planning officer confirmed that the letter of objection was submitted to the original plans and that the amended plans had received no new objections.

Overall, as members believed that the amended entrance dealt with the highways concerns, that the application would bring employment to a site vacant since March 2021, and that there would be no adverse impact on neighbouring amenity, they agreed that the application should be approved subject to conditions.

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

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P22/S3194/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

1. Development to commence with three years

2. Development to be built in accordance with the approved plans

3. Development to be constructed in materials specified on the plans

4. Parking and manoeuvring areas retained as shown on plans

5. Cycle parking facilities to be covered and details to be provided

6. A Travel Plan Statement shall be submitted

7. Land contamination investigation required should any unsuspected contamination be encountered