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Category: Thame news

  • Government block lifted on local plan!

    THE Liberal Democrat and Green Party partnership at South Oxfordshire District Council have welcomed the news that the Government block on reviewing the new local plan has been lifted. 

    LibDems and Greens took power after the Conservatives were thrown out, losing 22 councillors last May. But the Secretary of State, MP Robert Jenrick, threatened to hand control of the South Oxfordshire local plan to the Conservative controlled County Council. 

    Cllr Sue Cooper with protestors agains OCC taking over the Local Plan – image courtesy of CPRE

    South Oxfordshire have been unable to discuss the plan publicly since a unique Government ban was put in place in October. That ban has now been lifted with a new directive allowing for an extended examination period agreed until the end of 2020 for changes to be considered. 

    Liberal Democrat Council Leader Sue Cooper said: “Preventing South Oxfordshire from discussing its own local plan was the wrong approach by the Government and we welcome the lifting of this block. Elected councillors can now propose the changes that are badly needed to this plan.” 

    “The recent vote by Oxfordshire County Council to take over the South Oxfordshire plan was an undemocratic power grab by Conservative and Labour councillors who still don’t accept that South Oxfordshire residents voted for new LibDem and Green councillors who have a mandate to put forward changes to the local plan.” 

    The Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Leigh Rawlins said: “During the inspection process, we will make full use of the usual methods to make our views known to the inspectors. In some cases these views will be critical of aspects of the submitted plan, while in no way affecting its overall viability. 

    “In addition, we will in due course submit proposed changes to the Inspectors, including but not limited to: 

    • Addressing the climate emergency 
    • Removing sites on sustainability, deliverability and soundness considerations 
    • Enhancing environmental standards for housing 
    • Improving the mix of housing to meet local needs 
    • Achieving high-quality, sustainable settlements 

    “Let’s keep planning local where it belongs, to deliver housing to meet local needs.” 

  • Chinnor are ready for Sale this Saturday!

    RICKY Khan, Chinnor RFC’s Back coach, believes that his side are ready for another tough test as they prepare to face Sale this Saturday (March 8). 

    The Thame-based side make the 330-mile round trip to Greater Manchester for Round 25 of National League 1. 

    Nick Selway attempting to keep possession against Rosslyn Park last weekend. Picture credit: David Howlett

    Travelling up on Friday, Chinnor are looking to control all elements of their preparation as they bid to make it seven successive wins in the third tier of English rugby. 

    Last week’s victory over second-place Rosslyn Park saw the Oxfordshire club, who have not lost on their travels since October, close the gap to their fellow high-fliers to two points. 

    Sale have won six of their last seven home games, which included an 8-7 victory over leaders Richmond, but backs coach Khan is confident Chinnor can continue their fine away run and make it eight games unbeaten on the road. 

    He said: “It’s another tough fixture for us. But I think we’re well equipped at the minute for these different battles and long journeys. 

    “We’ve gone to places like Plymouth Albion and Hull Ionians and come away with good results, so we’re hoping to go up to Sale, take them on, and try to keep our winning run going.” 

    Chinnor’s unbeaten away record includes victories over Birmingham Moseley, Hull, Bishop’s Stortford, Rotherham Titans and Canterbury as well as draws at Park and Plymouth. 

    Director of rugby, Matt Williams, has previously spoken about his side’s expansive play on the road, something which has been on show at home over the last month. 

    Khan believes there is also another reason to the results. He added: “We’ve said before about our brilliant away support, but I think it’s the fact we’ve become a really close squad now. 

    “Away from home we know it’s going to be a lot tougher, but the lads just battle through. Like every side up and down the country, Chinnor have had to play through several storms this year, namely Dennis and Jorge.” 

    The weather has obviously had an impact on the pitches, but Khan insists the players are willing to put their bodies on the line, no matter the conditions. 

    “I think we’ve been faced with everything this season,” he said. “Torrential rain, hurricane winds and now it’s potentially going to be like a mud bath at Sale. 

    “But I think those kind of adverse conditions galvanise us as a team and we relish the challenge, so for us it’s another feather in the cap and another opportunity.” 

    SATURDAY’S SQUAD 

    Chinnor (v Sale, away): from Barnes, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, Goss, Kirwan, Laverick, Hoadley, Hodson, May, McNulty, Parilli-Ocampo, Pieterse, Ramshaw, Rees, W Ryan, Selway, Treviranus, Tyas, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa. 

     
     

     

  • Thame’s Record-breaking swimathon 2020!

    TWENTY enthusiastic teams attended the eighth Thame Swimathon on Sunday (March1), at Thame Leisure Centre – and broke its own fundraising record!

    Cllr Ann Midwinter with the five Barley Hill School teams that completed Thame Swimathon 2020

    The majority of the swimmers were schoolchildren from local primary schools, Barley Hill, Thame; John Hampden, Thame; Watlington Primary School, Haddenham Junior School and Ickford Primary School. For many of the children this was their first ever opportunity to fundraise for good causes.

    The teams swam a total of 2,097 lengths, the equivalent of 32 miles (52 km) and the total raised is well over £7,500 – which is the new fundraising record for this event.

    All Thame Swimathon swimmers received medals presented by Cllr Ann Midwinter, the Mayor of Thame, as well as Cllr Linda Emery and Graham Colverson, former Presidents of the Rotary Club of Thame & District.

    Rotary Club Thame & District main charities supported during 2019-2020 are Thame Young Carers, Red Kite Family Centre Thame & Chinnor, and The Maple Tree Children’s Centre Wheatley. Most of the teams took the option to allocate 50% of the funds towards their favourite charity or cause.

    Kate Elsworth, Trustee at John Hampden School PTFA, said: “John Hampden School were delighted to take part in such a well organised, community-spirited event. Our students all thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of swimming for 55 minutes non-stop and loved the friendly competitive nature of the event. We will be back!!

    Jo Sackett, Trustee at Barley Hill School PTFA, said: “Thank you so much to the Rotary for organising yet another wonderful event. The Swimathon is so popular with the students and staff at Barley Hill and it was a pleasure to submit five teams to take part. They had an amazing time, swimming 537 lengths between them and raising over £1500. We’ll be back again next year!”

    Karen Cemm, Chair of Watlington Primary School PTA, said: “I have had great feedback from the parents and children themselves about what a great event it was and how much they enjoyed participating. Thame and District Rotary Club really seems to have got the balance right of being fun, but a brilliantly organised event!”

    Marius Ciortan, Thame Swimathon Steering Group Chairman, said: “The event was possible due to generous local sponsors who kindly covered the swimming pool hiring costs: Thame Leisure Centre and Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust. Aston Hearing Thame kindly supported the event with the cost of producing the medals.”

    Marius added: “I would like to thank the volunteers from Thame Inner Wheel, Wheatley Park Interact Club, Phoenix Community Club and Haddenham & District Rotary who helped Thame and District Rotarians with the counting of lengths swum by teams. On behalf of our club, I would like to thank all swimmers and their families for their support and for making Thame Swimathon 2020 a great success.”

    To find out how to join Rotary Club of Thame & District or Phoenix Community Club, please contact us via www.thame.rotary1090.org or www.facebook.com/thamerotary or www.facebook.com/phoenixcommunityclubthame

  • Housing minister accused of bullying

    THE non-party-political campaign group, A Better South Oxfordshire (ABSO), has responded to the latest threats of Housing Minister, Robert Jenrick MP, to take the emerging Local Plan 2034 out of the hands of the planning authority, SODC. 

     

    In his most recent letter to Sue Cooper, the Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, Jenrick stated that he is using government powers in Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to direct the council to progress the plan through examination to be adopted by December this year, and for senior council officers to report monthly to MHCLG officials on progress of the plan.  

    Robert Jenrick, Right Hon. Secretary of State Housing, Communities and Local Government

    In a statement today, ABSO said: “Yesterday, the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, sent a letter to South Oxfordshire District Council directing the council to progress the plan through examination to be adopted by December this year, and for senior council officers to report monthly to MHCLG officials on progress of the plan, claiming that government powers in Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 gave him the authority to override SODC’s usual democratic decision making processes. 

    “We find Jenrick’s letter to be incredible in the truest sense of the word. 

    “Notwithstanding that the last five months delay is entirely due to Jenrick’s holding order and other disingenuities, it gives SODC ownership in name only of the Local Plan: they retain all responsibility and culpability whilst losing any authority and control over the plan. It is clearly setting SODC up as a scapegoat for any anger from betrayed voters.” 

    ‘Bullying’ 

    “Bullying now seems endemic, and perhaps agreed policy, of Johnson’s government – but we believe SODC should follow the example set at the weekend and stand up to Jendrick by refusing to comply with his instructions. If he attempts to remove Local Plan control from SODC we believe that they should seek a judicial review on Jenrick’s actions including a holding order on the plan and its examination in public until the review is complete. Any further delays would be therefore be entirely Jenrick’s fault as indeed the last five months of delay was entirely at his hand.” 

    Leader’s response 

    Cllr Cooper herself, in response to the latest letter, said: “It’s disappointing the Secretary of State has felt it necessary to intervene. However, the council remains committed to working constructively with the MHCLG and the Secretary of State as well as engaging productively with our partnerships across Oxfordshire.” 

    ‘Political posturing’ 

    The Lib Dem/Green administration at SODC believe that they are democratically obliged to change the Local Plan devised by the former, Conservative administration, because of concerns about overall housing numbers, the release of sensitive green belt sites and the Plan’s insufficient recognition of the climate and ecological emergency. This was a major factor in the change of control of South Oxfordshire District Council in May, from Conservative dominance to a Liberal Democrat – Green partnership, they contend.  

    But in a scathing report to Thame Town Council last night (Tuesday 03/03), County Cllr Nick Carter spoke about Oxfordshire County Council’s vote to take over control of the plan if invited to do so. He said: “However, we (himself and Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green) felt the best solution would be to allow SODC’s democratically elected Lib Dem administration the time to see sense, stop its political posturing, and enable the Local Plan to resume its progress through an independent examination.  

    “We felt this solution would be the only sure way to avoid scuppering more than £500m of future infrastructure investment for the rest of the county. Now that further time has elapsed, it seems that the Lib Dem & Green coalition at SODC is indeed going to fall into line, however reluctantly, with all the other district councils in Oxfordshire. We will refrain from saying “we told you so” until after it happens and this ridiculous row can finally blow over.” 

    Request for advice remains unanswered 

    Cllr Cooper’s request for guidance to the Minister in a previous letter: “On the understanding that you continue to view eLP2034 [the Local Plan]proceeding to inspection as the only possible way forward, it would help us if your officials could list some examples of the kinds of significant changes which would address our concerns that can be made as modifications during inspection,” has not so far been responded to by the Minister. 

    The Cabinet and Council meetings will go ahead as scheduled on Thursday, March 5, where councillors will receive a verbal update from senior officers.  

    **Councillors cannot consider the options set out in the officer’s report published with the meeting agenda due to the Secretary of State’s new direction. 

    LINK to previous posts

  • ‘Pulsating’ match results in valuable win for Chinnor

    MATT Williams, Director of Rugby at Chinnor Rugby Club, was full of praise for his Chinnor side as they left it late to beat fellow high-fliers Rosslyn Park 24-21 in a pulsating fixture on Saturday. 

    Trailing 21-19 with two minutes to go, hooker Nick Selway crashed over from a driving lineout as the home side dug deep to claim a valuable win. 

    The result has seen the Thame-based side close the gap to second-placed Park to just two points in National League 1, while Richmond moved ten points clear after beating Canterbury. 

    Chinnor director of rugby Williams was thrilled with the result. “I’m delighted,”he said. “It wasn’t about the five points, it was about winning. I thought we made our life tougher than we needed to by gifting Rosslyn Park 14 points from two kicking errors, but otherwise I can’t be anything other than happy.” 

    The day started with a heroic effort to beat Storm Jorge, with more than 20 volunteers helping to make the pitch playable. They were rewarded with a brilliant performance which saw Chinnor extend their winning run to six games. 

    The home side led 19-7 at half-time, thanks to unconverted tries from Joe Rees and Jason Worrall, as well as three Laurence May penalties. 

    Park crossed twice in the first ten minutes of the half through Ryan Roach and Josh Amadi, Lound converting both, to go 21-19 in front. 

    It went down to the wire and with Stewart Maguire and Daniel Laventure in the sin-bin late on, Chinnor took their opportunity as Selway drove over for a valuable four points. 

    Williams added: “Since Christmas, we’ve turned things around. Whether we’re behind or in front, we play to the final minute now. 

    “We’ve now played the top three teams around us and it’s about getting as many points as we can between now and the end of the season and letting other results around us take care of themselves.” 

  • Too many offices being turned into sub-standard homes says councillor

    SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council are to call for a review on the wide-ranging impact of permitted development rights that allows offices to be converted into residential homes without planning permission. 

    District and Thame Town Councillor, Kate Gregory

    The Liberal Democrat District Councillor and Ward member for Thame,  Cllr Kate Gregory, who put forward the motion at the latest district council meeting,  said: “Currently developers do not have to contribute towards affordable housing or local infrastructure and there is no ability to consider whether the development provides suitable levels of amenity space, privacy or sunlight. 

    “We also have the issue with job loss space. When an office is converted to residential use office floor space is lost and in Thame alone, we have lost 654 jobs worth of office space since 2013. 

    “Permitted Development Rights effectively gives developers a free pass to create new homes of any type, of any quality in any location providing the building began its life as an office. 

    “Some of the horror stories include homes of just 13.7m2 and homes with no windows. When the office to residential change first came into place, I don’t believe this was the intention and it desperately needs reviewing.” 

    The Leader of the council will now write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to call for a review of the wide-ranging impacts of permitted development rights which allow change of use into residential homes.

  • Massive support for a safe cycling route to Haddenham from Thame

    A future off-road walking and cycling link between Thame and Haddenham has won overwhelming support from local residents and community groups.

    An online survey, which drew more than 2,000 responses, showed 94% of respondents would use an off-road walking and cycling route if one was introduced between Thame and Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station.

    Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Sustrans are currently investigating the feasibility and support for such a route between Thame and Haddenham, and the survey will feed into that study.

    The survey found that 82% of respondents said they currently travel between the station and Thame by car, van or motorcycle, while 5% said they cycle and 2% said they walk. Because of land-owner and Rights of Way issues around a cross-country ‘Greenway’, a route running alongside the A418 Aylesbury Road, on the other side of the hedge is being investigated and discussions with land-owners is on-going.

    The A418 currently acts as a major barrier to safe opportunities for walking and cycling between Haddenham and Thame. The delivery of an off-road walking and cycling route would reduce congestion on a heavily used part of the transport network by substantially increasing the potential for sustainable travel along this corridor. The route would also enable connections to the wider network of existing and proposed walking and cycling routes. 

    Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member, said: “We canvassed local opinion because we wanted to know how people currently travel, and to assess whether it would be beneficial to pursue providing an off-road walking and cycling route. These are early days, but the results are encouraging.” 

    Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member Environment, which includes transport, said: “The survey results shows that there is a real appetite for the scheme and that residents are keen for a more sustainable way to travel between Thame and Haddenham. The results have been analysed by officers at Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and will now be used in progressing the scheme to the next stages. These are early stages for this scheme, but the survey uptake and results are encouraging.”

    Such a route between Thame and Haddenham is a long-standing and prime objective of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan. But discussions having been on-going long before the TNP publication, since before 2008. (See LINK)

    A summary of the survey results can be found at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/haddenham-and-thame-greenway Money for the scheme would come from the Housing and Growth Deal fund, and Section 106 funding.












    BCC/OCC External Stakeholder Update (February 2020):

    Haddenham and Thame Greenway – Scheme Update (February 2020)

    Buckinghamshire County Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Sustrans are investigating an aspirational off-road walking and cycling route between Haddenham and Thame Parkway Station and Thame, referred to as the Haddenham and Thame Greenway. This email forms the first bi-monthly scheme update that will be issued to the Parish/Town Councils and local interest groups, with the next scheme update proposed for end April 2020. 

     

    Online survey:

    An online survey on the Haddenham and Thame Greenway was conducted between 25th November and 9th December 2019. The purpose of this public engagement exercise was to help us understand how people currently travel between Haddenham & Thame Parkway Station and Thame and, in doing so, help us to assess whether it would be beneficial to introduce an off-road walking and cycling route between these locations.

     

    The online survey received a total of 2012 responses. The responses have now been analysed, a summary of the results has been published on a new designed webpage for the scheme:  https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/haddenham-and-thame-greenway. 

     

    The results of this online survey will be considered as part of the progression of the Haddenham and Thame Greenway scheme, alongside other information, and the scheme webpage will be updated as further information becomes available. 

     

    Background work:

    Dedicated officers from both County Councils are working on the Haddenham and Thame Greenway scheme, and provisional funding is available for progressing background work.

     

    As part of this background work, Transport for Buckinghamshire has recently collected traffic speed and classification data at sites in the vicinity of Haddenham and Thame Parkway Station.  The data from these surveys shows the speed and type of vehicles travelling along these roads, and will be used to inform the scheme design work along this section.

     

    We will endeavour to keep you informed as the scheme progresses through the bi-monthly scheme updates.



  • Recognition of Excellence for Thame photographer

    THAME photographer, Mark Hewitson, of Mark Hewitson Photography, has today been awarded an Associateship with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP), a national body overseeing excellence in professional photography.  

     
    Mark submitted a panel of 20 adorable dog portrait images to the SWPP which were then judged by a board of his peers to be suitable for the award. To achieve the Associate Qualification the images submitted must show above average skill and technique as well as sitting together as a body of work representative of the photographer’s unique style, creativity and skills. 

     
    Mark said: “To have my work recognised by my peers as being of excellent quality and creativity is a huge honour which makes me extremely proud. This award helps drive me to continue creating outstanding images for my clients and helps form part of our promise of excellence.” 

     
    Mark Hewitson Photography can be contacted on 01844 278015 or via the website at www.markhewitson.co.uk  

  • Local Plan debacle latest

    THE Cabinet at South Oxfordshire District Council is set to consider a report regarding the progress of its Local Plan, which has been held up following a temporary direction issued by the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, in October last year. 

    Discussions have been ongoing between the district council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government since last autumn regarding the Local Plan 2034, which is currently at Examination. 

    In February 2020, Oxfordshire County Council voted to accept any potential future invitation by the government to take control of the district council’s plan. 

    Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Stripping us of our plan-making powers would take the ability to influence the Local Plan out of the hands of those who were elected to do just that. It would mean putting it in the hands of a council that has no democratic mandate to make local plans in South Oxfordshire, nor any experience of making this type of plan. 

    “The district council has endeavoured to engage in constructive discussions with officials at the Ministry throughout, an approach reciprocated by MHCLG officials. Following the most recent discussions, officers believe that the Secretary of State may now be minded to withdraw the temporary direction so Cabinet Members and Council can consider the new report at their meetings on March 5. 

    The report explains the current context and sets out two options that Cabinet could recommend to councillors at their Council meeting – to allow the plan to continue through the examination or to withdraw the plan.  

    The report also explains that if Cabinet recommends that councillors should withdraw the plan, it’s highly likely the Secretary of State would impose a new direction to prevent its withdrawal. In such an instance it would be highly likely to direct the plan to continue through examination, but in the hands of a council not elected to prepare a local plan.” 

    Cllr Cooper added, “The new report sets out all of the risks and benefits of each of the options, and I am very sure my colleagues in the Cabinet will discuss them thoroughly and as always come to a recommendation that has the best interests of South Oxfordshire residents at its heart.” 

    LINK HERE for previous article relating to this topic and HERE for more related posts

     

     

     

  • New festival will celebrate Thame’s history

    TO add to Thame’s growing list of annual festivals, which already includes a Music Festival, a Literary Festival and a Food Festival, the town will soon be holding a History Festival. 

    Image courtesy of The John Hampden Society

    The History Festival, which will be supported by Thame Museum though not run by it, will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2020. The event will celebrate the history of the town with a range of activities and guided tours of historical buildings, with the aim of increasing local engagement with the town’s history and its heritage.  

    Local organisations such as Thame Historical Society and other regional organisations including Haddenham Museum, the John Hampden Society, Lord Williams’s School, the Oxfordshire Local History Association, South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group, the Wheatley Archive and the Oxfordshire History Centre Library will also be involved.  

    The Upper Chamber of the town hall will be transformed for interactive, hands-on activities for children and adults to take part in and there will quizzes and a large map of the town where local visitors can pinpoint the location and age of their homes. 

    The Town Council has agreed to provide seed-funding of £1,000 and free use of the Town Hall for the event, similar to that provided by the Town Council for the first Thame Arts & Literature Festival and Thame Food Festival.  

    Diary date: June 7, 2020