Category: Thame news

THAME Town Council has set out its preferred site options for the future growth of the town – which could amount to 487 new homes within the next 10 years.
Its response is part of a consultation process currently being carried out by SODC, to identify the best housing and employment sites to meet the future needs of the district.
A report, produced by Town Cllr David Bretherton, presented at Tuesday’s Planning Committee meeting, assumed that TTC’s preferred option, to see growth shared between Henley, Thame, Wallingford and some modest growth of larger villages, could mean one quarter of the 1,950 being allocated to Thame.

Cllr Bretherton used three main criteria in assessing the merits of each of the areas of land around Thame that have been submitted by landowners in the Site Allocations Plan consultation, as possible development sites:
1) Government objectectives (as set out in Planning Policy Guidance)
2) The objectives of the Site Allocation Plan (which includes “To secure the provision of affordable housing to meet local needs” and “To conserve and enhance the distinctive character of the built and natural environment in South Oxfordshire towns, villages and countryside”) and
3) Sustainability.

He scored each site by looking at such things as their proximity to bus routes, whether they were so-called Brown field sites, whether they were within walking distance to the town centre and their demand on existing resources.

The site that came out best was land at Thame United Football Club, Windmill Road, its merits being that it is a Brown field site, would be “highly sustainable in terms of location and access to services particularly John Hampden primary school”, and that any development “would be within existing boundaries of the town and thus considered as an urban environment where higher densities of housing would be possible.”

Sites considered in Cllr Bretherton’s report for possible future EMPLOYMENT, included land at Memec and land adjacent to Jane Morbey Road.

Members of the public have had two opportunities to express their views at two exhibitions held in the town hall and via South Oxfordshire District Council’s website.

The consultation ends tomorrow, November 17.

OVER 100 residents in Chinnor were shocked today to receive a letter telling them that they must deal with a blocked sewer pipe connecting to their homes by 11am tomorrow, or receive a bill for the work from the district council.
One resident, who lives in Riders Way, Chinnor, contacted Thame News today, to say that he and his neighbours were stunned to be told that the sewer was owned privately by the homes in seven streets, including his and Hedgerley, and therefore was the responsibility of the residents to deal with the blockage.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Health department of SODC told Thame News that, because the blockage is overflowing a man hole, it is a health hazard and consequently, it is the legal responsibility of the council to ensure that it is dealt with within 48 hours.
“If it is not,” said the spokesman, “our contractors with deal with the problem and send the bill to the residents.”
The spokesman insisted that maps and other documents show that the sewer pipe in question is not publicly owned (which would make it the responsibility of Thames Water), and has never been since the housing in the effected area was built.
At the time of writing, it was not clear whether the Deeds to properties effected would show the ownership of sewer pipes.
The residents who contacted Thame News however, seemed
unaware that they owned any part of the sewage system.

THAME Town Council is to demand that advertising on the district’s roundabouts go through ‘the proper planning process.’
The town council’s planning committee voted to write to South Oxfordshire’s Chief Executive, David Buckle, after Thame resident, Mr Michael Tyce, asked them whether it could be right for the district council to accept fees for, what he called, “unslightly” advertising on roundabouts, whilst “flaunting lawful planning permission.”
Mr Tyson claimed that such advertising “harms amenties and is distracting to drivers.” He was also concerned that local communities were not consulted on the scheme to hand over roundabout maintenance to a company called Marketing Force, to carry out maintenance work in return for being permitted to erect signs on roundabouts and sell advertising space on them, that came into force earlier this year.
He accused SODC of “illegal behaviour.”
The mayor, Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods, said that he had no problem with the basic concept but felt that the actual work on the roundabouts could be much better.
Cllr David Laver said that he felt the scheme was poor value for money and cited what he considered to be very attractive Oxford roundabouts that were maintained by the local council and the City In Bloom organisation. He agreed that there should be proper consultation and planning permission.
Thame town councillors expressed particular dislike of the Waitrose roundabout which was described as ‘gaudy’ and ‘unsightly’.
Cllr Laver urged the town council to support the CPRE, Campaign to Protect Rural England’s campaign to urge the district council to end what it calls: “This inappropriate scheme, or at least to make it the subject of retrospective applications as it would any other developer who had plastered the District with unpermitted commercial advertising.”

NB. David Buckle is reported to have told the district council’s Scrutiny committee that he had been “mistaken in assuming the signs had deemed consent, that advertising consent should have been sought and that the decision making process had been flawed.”

NBB. CPRE, in a letter to the Town Clerk, say:
“The county council had been spending an average of

THAME Town council has recommeded approval of a planning application for a replacement for Meadowcroft.
The Chair of Thame Town Council’s Planning committee, Cllr Don Butler, said: “This is probably one of the most important planning applications we have ever been asked to consider.”
The current Meadowcroft residential home for the elderly, was built in the 1960s but does not comply with modern standards for the care of the elderly, which includes en suite bathroom facilities and bigger room size.
Speaking at last night’s Planning committee meeting, Cllr Beatrice Dobie said:”This is a very nice development that can only be an assett for the town.”

MICHAEL James Alan Kaye, 66, who went missing from his home on Saturday (4/11) at Glimbers Grove, Chinnor, has been found safe and well.
Paul Garbett, missing persons coordinator,for Thames Valley Police, said: ?Media appeals are very effective in helping to find missing people and I would like to thank the media for their help in locating Michael.?

HUNDREDS of local people of all ages gathered at the newly refurbished War Memorial in Thame yesterday, for a Service of Remembrance for those who have died in both World Wars and all other conflicts since, including the current war in Iraq.
A minutes silence was observed following the playing of the Last Post by trumpeter, Peter Kingsnorth. During the contemplations, only the trickling sound of the fountain from the Pearce memorial statue and the soft whining of a small baby, could be heard.

Among local representatives who layed wreaths on behalf of their Associations were Inspector Stewart Dunbar of Thames valley Police, Station Officer Andy Ford, representing Thame Fire Officers, and on behalf of the Thame Twinning Association, Neil Hancock (pictured) who layed a wreath on behalf of Thame’s twin town, Montesson.

All who took part in the Parade and Service were invited for refreshments at Christchurch in the Upper High Street.

There have been several incidents during the past few days of criminal damage and thefts of valuable items from cars parked in hotel and pub car parks.
Incidents have been reported in Wallingford, Stadhampton and the Thame area.

Please remind people, NOT to leave any valuable items or Christmas presents on display in their vehicles.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously in or around car parks, please call the police on 08458 505 505.

POLICE are renewing their appeal for information and warning residents to improve their security after the spate of burglaries in Thame last week.
Between 10.30pm (02/11) and 6.30 am (03/11) three houses were broken into in Thame. The houses were in Astley Road, Fairfax Close and Marston Road. Small items were stolen from the houses including documents, credit cards, mobile phones, MP3 players, a laptop computer and a handheld PDA.

In each incident the burglars entered the property through the front door. These burglaries are part of an ongoing series where access to the property is gained through UPVC doors.

Lesley Nesbitt, Crime Reduction Advisor said: “These burglaries are very traumatic as they occur overnight when the occupants are in bed and are only discovered when the occupant gets up the following morning. These burglaries are preventable if residents would get into the habit of double locking their front doors from the inside before they go to bed.
“Consider fitting a letterbox cage or other restrictor, which prevents thieves from putting their hands or gadgets through the letterbox and trying the latches from the inside.”

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact PC Haynes at Thame police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. Lesley Nesbitt can be contacted via 0845 8 505 505 should you require any further information or advice on home security.

Home security leaflets are also available from Thame police station. Front counter hours are 10am until 6pm Monday to Saturday.

ED> As reported yesterday, a 21 year old man has been charged in connection with the burglary on Marston Road.

A MAN has been charged in connection with a burglary that took place in Thame between November 2 and 3.
Scott Allaway, 21, of Tilehurst in Reading, appeared in Court on November 6 (Monday), and has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates? court on November 13.

THE Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Michael James Alan Kaye, 66, who went missing from his home on Saturday (4/11) at Glimbers Grove, Chinnor.
Michael is white, is 5ft 5ins tall, slim, with short grey hair, grey facial hair and brown eyes and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a grey padded jacket, trousers, and a beige, zip up top, and wearing dark navy blue shoes. He was carrying a Tesco carrier bag, with groceries in it.

Paul Garbett, Missing Persons Coordinator, said: “Michael is suffering from Alzheimer?s disease and we are concerned for his safety. He was last seen near Morrison?s supermarket in High Wycombe by a friend who was on a bus.
?If you have seen him or know where he is then please get in touch. I would also urge Michael to contact us to let us know he is OK.?

Contact Paul Garbett via 0845 8 505 505.