Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

A set of planning applications relating to a proposed housing development and a public park in Thame,  have been withdrawn from the agenda of a planning committee, following a site meeting yesterday (April 21).

The decision to withdraw from the agenda plans for 37 houses at The Elms, in Upper High Street, Thame, and associated ‘improvements’ to Elms Park next door, was announced yesterday afternoon. The reasons given by the planning authority, South Oxfordshire District Council, were that there were incorrect and/or insufficient plans attached to the (planning officer’s ?) report issued to planning committee members; that planning committee members had requested further clarification on comments from English Heritage (EH) and that, following the planning committee site visit, committee members had requested a further site visit with access to neighbouring properties to view the applications from those sites.

A spokesperson for SODC, said: “The planning committee meeting will still go ahead tomorrow (April 22) at the scheduled time and other applications will be discussed, but the above three applications will not now feature.

Once all three of requirements have been satisfied, a new planning committee date will be set to discuss The Elms applications.

The email sent out to interested parties announcing the change of agenda, apologised for any inconvenience caused and concluded: “I want to reassure you that we carefully consider any decision to withdraw an application from a planning committee. However, we are satisfied it is warranted in these circumstances to ensure that the planning committee members have all the information they need to make a considered decision.”

You can view the Planning applications P14/S2176/FUL and P14/S2395/LB and the plans for Elms Park P14/S2310/O on SODC’s website (Click on links)

This proposal has proved to be a controversial one ever since it was included in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan, and has since attracted over 2,000 signatures to a petition to have it removed. The Planning Committee meeting today was expected to have been a lively affair, with district council committee members having to decide between accepting the recommendation of its Planning Officer to permit the development, and opposition from Thame Town Council which is not satisfied that it complies with parts of the Neighbourhood Plan, and a vociferous group of Thame residents who oppose the development of The Elms altogether.

You can read past reports and correspondence from local people concerning the history of The Elms proposals, HERE

THAME Town Council’s Grants Scheme is now open for applications from local, charitable organisations in the area who are working for the benefit of Thame, to apply for funding to support local projects.

The criteria is that schemes should aim to develop skills, improve health, revitalise the local environment and enable people to become more active citizens.

The council says: “The scheme aims to fund projects that address the needs, aspirations and issues of the people in our community.”

Who can apply?  Any community or not-for-profit group working for the benefit of the people of Thame. Other terms and conditions apply, and these can be found at the town council’s website www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk from where an application form can be downloaded. Alternatively, a paper version is available from the town hall.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday, May 5. 2015. For further information or for help completing the form, call: 01844 212833.

THE General Election may be over two weeks away, but pupils from Lord Williams’s School in Thame, held a vote of their own following a hustings at the school on Friday (April 17).

Friday’s event, which was filmed by Harry Parsons of Radio Blackfrog, was the first hustings in the Henley Constituenct (which includes Thame), with all five of the General Election candidates taking part.

With an audience of over 100 Years 12 and 13 students, and teachers from Lord Williams’s, the room was so packed that some people sat on the floor for the entire session. There were a wide range of questions for the five candidates, John Howell – Conservative, Sam Juthani – Labour, Sue Cooper – Liberal Democrats, Christopher Jones – UKIP and Mark Stevenson – Green Party, including on threats to the UK, housing, health and gender equality. There seemed to be particular interest in the questions around the NHS and housing.

After the hustings was finished, students were polled as to who they would vote for. The results were as follows:

Conservative – 10.8%
Greens – 10.8%
Labour – 65.6%
Lib Dem – 3.9%
UKIP – 2.5%
Spoilt – 6.4%

You can see Harry Parsons’ film of the hustings event at Lord Williams’s at Blackfrog Radio (keep up on facebook HERE)  on Tuesday, at 8pm, and afterwards.

THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for the Election 2015, for a short profile. The following are from Carol Bradbrook Taylor and Peter Butler:

Carol BRADBROOK TAYLOR – Independent – Thame South Ward

MY decision to stand as a candidate for Councillor has been a last minute one. I was asked to consider it, and I thought, “Why Not?” I have decided to stand as an Independent candidate as I don’t think allegiance to a specific political party is crucial to fulfil this role in our neighbourhood.

My husband died 15 years ago so I have spent the best part of 15 years devoted to bringing up my sons solo as a working parent. Not much spare time then! My boys played lots of sport and as a result I became a volunteer at Chinnor RFC some 14 years ago, and latterly Oxfordshire Rugby, rising to Honorary Secretary at both. Now my sons are grown up and I have more time to devote to other aspects of my life.

My Mum moved into sheltered accommodation near the town centre so she could be close to shops, bus stop, doctors, bank, market etc. I live in Thame, by choice. As a relative newcomer I appreciate what Thame has to offer. I shop in Thame, go out in Thame, and use a wide range of facilities and services here.

I voted for the Neighbourhood Plan so am keen to see it work out. I want to see everyone living in comfortable homes, accessing the thriving town centre, being part of an exciting social scene, and local businesses providing proper work. It is vital that as more people move into Thame, they are able to integrate into the Thame lifestyle we all love.

I don’t have business interests in Thame, nor do I belong to any action group. My first dealing with Thame Town Council was representing the Rugby Club to ask for their support towards the installation of disabled facilities at the Clubhouse. Success!

I am keen to be involved in the planning, running and decision making for the future and would be honoured to be elected to the Town Council to represent the interests and concerns of all voters, visitors, groups, and businesses.

Peter BUTLER – UKIP – South Oxfordshire District Council Candidate & Thame North

I was born in South London and moved to Thame over 37 years ago. I am a serial entrepreneur, married with two daughters and two Grandchildren. I decided to stand as a Town and a District Council candidate at this election for a number of reasons.

Thame is a wonderful place to live and bring up a family. It has brilliant schools, close on full employment, very low crime rate, first class sporting facilities, fantastic young people, all adding up to a good quality of life, and I want to make sure it stays that way!

With Tesco and the Cattle Market decisions needing to be dealt with soon, I will make sure that the voices of Thame residents are heard. We have something very special here in Thame and we need to make sure it only changes for the better. We need to safeguard our town centre’s independent retail shops by cutting business rates and providing free parking in all town car parks.

• Residential development imposed on us is a symptom of failure, and has long term consequences for
our public services. I will only support building on brownfield sites.

• Financial support seems to have been drastically reduced for local organisations. I will seek to find out
why and get this changed.

• In my past business life I had dealings with Thame Town Hall and the negativity I experienced was
shocking. In my opinion Thame Town Council needs to embrace the local community, not the other
way round. I will push for transparency and accountability at the Town Hall.

I hope that people who want change over the next four years at both District Council and Town Council level will vote for me, and I will work tirelessly on their behalf.

IF you’re in need of a sweet, sticky, naughty treat while out shopping in Thame tomorrow (Saturday), look out for the Krisp Kreme Doughnuts and other cakes that will be for sale just inside the entrance to Greyhound Walk in Thame.

Thame born and bred, Olly Ross, 21, will be there from 11am, with his cake stall, helped by his sister and her boyfriend, raising funds for the charity Childreach International, the charity he’ll be climbing Kilimanjaro for in August. You can find out more about Childreach International HERE and read about Olly’s stunning, six-day trek up to the ‘roof of Africa’, along the Machame Route, and donate too towards his target of £2,750 HERE

Olly went to Lord Williams school and Sixth Form, and is now a Freelance Videographer. He is also heavily involved with fundraising for the new Skatepark in Thame. He explained why he chose this particular challenge: “My girlfriend climbed Kilimanjaro last year and is now team-leading a group this year. I learned about the charity when fundraising with her and thought it was a great cause to be involved with.”

THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for Election 2015, for a short profile. The following are from from Bob Austin and Catherine Jones, who are both standing as Independent candidates in the Thame South Ward, in the Parish Council elections, on May 7.

CATHERINE JONES: I moved to Thame in 1994 when my husband left the army. Having lived in numerous places we decided to settle in Thame, because of the delightful town centre, the good schools and the real feeling of community that we found here. It is a decision I have never regretted for a second. I have three children who were educated at John Hampden School and Lord Williams’s – two of whom still live locally.

I left school at 18 and was an army officer for 8 years. When I had to give up my career for family reasons, I started writing books. To date I have had 18 published – 2 non-fiction works and 16 novels.

I have always believed in giving back what I owe to organisations or communities that have helped or supported me and my family. I was a very active member of the John Hampden PTA and was on the Schoolhouse 2000 committee. I was also on the committee of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for 10 years, serving as secretary, PR officer, vice-chairman and, finally, chairman. Now I want to serve on the local council so I can repay something to this wonderful town.

I am standing as an independent so I can make my own decisions about what I feel might be best for the town. I am keen to see Thame grow and develop but within the structure of our agreed neighbourhood plan so we don’t lose our terrific town centre, its sense of community and its vibrancy – all the things that attracted me here over twenty years ago.

BOB AUSTIN: MY primary objective as a councillor will be to focus on the maintenance of Thame’s character as a market town in a period when that character is under threat from potential, misplaced, overdevelopment. That character must include the continued vitality of the town centre – a vitality that is being threatened by the prospect of an edge of town superstore.

I also want to ensure that Thame’s infrastructure will meet future demands as development happens and not when it’s too late. Parking is a priority for the Town and District Councils and we need to ensure that the County Council provides adequate health and education facilities for the growing number of residents.

I have been a resident in Thame for 28 years and brought up a family with my wife, Jenny. After a career as a Chartered Accountant, Finance Director and Chief Executive, I am now retired but endeavour to keep busy. I have a keen interest in Archaeology and obtained a degree from Reading University as a mature student. Also, since retirement I have worked, for a period, as a volunteer adviser at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and as a Teaching Assistant at Lord Williams’s School- until part time child minding of grandchildren came to the fore. I am Chairman of the East Thame Residents Association and a member of the steering group of the ‘Thame Centre First Campaign’.