RESIDENTS of Thame are being invited to have their say on the Green Living Plan (GLP) for the town over the next six weeks.
A consultation on the Thame GLP will be launched on Monday, August 20, and is expected to run until September 30.
Everyone who lives or works in Thame can comment on the plan, which will shape the future of the town’s environment and future decisions about its sustainability. Drop-in sessions will be held over the coming weeks for people to find out more, meet the team and ask questions. These will be held at:
* Thame Market on Tuesday, August 21, between 9am and 1pm
* Town Hall on Saturday, August 25, between 9am and 1pm
* Thame Town Hall again, on Wednesday, September 12, 4pm to 7:30pm
A link to the online consultation survey will be available via www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/GLP, where you can also find out more about the Green Living Plan and view the draft GLP document in short and full versions.
Hard copies of the Green Living Plan document and consultation surveys will be available in the Town Hall.
The GLP has been prepared on an honorary basis by the RSA Thame Group on behalf of Thame Town Council.
If you would like to know more, or get involved, please email consultations@thametowncouncil.gov.uk
NB The RSA Thame Group are a local group of Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce. They have been appointed by Thame Town Council as honorary consultants to assist in the creation of a Green Living Plan for Thame.
AS seems to have become a regular occurrence lately, Thame Town Council has once again been defending the town’s Neighbour Plan from rapacious developers, with one councillor accusing a developer of attempting to ‘drive a train’ through Thame’s Neighbour Plan policies and of ‘a blatant attempt at intensification’.
Thame Town Councillor, Mike Dyer
Cllr Mike Dyer’s comments came after a representative for Persimmon Homes spoke before the full council last Tuesday, July 31, in defense of a planning application for 25 new homes, including eight ‘affordable’ homes, on land off Thame Park Road, Thame, to replace an existing permission for eight, 4-bedroom, two-storey properties with studies, on the same 0.5 hectare area of land.
Caroline Owen, for Persimmon Homes, sought to explain some confusion as to which houses were two-bedroomed and which were three-bedroomed, as some of those described as two bedrooms, had an extra room upstairs described as a study. She said that the plan had been amended because of an apparent greater demand for smaller two and three bed dwellings and less demand for larger detached houses. Ms Owen said that the proposal represented the way Persimmon market their homes. There are a number of rooms, within the houses that have studies, and whether these are counted as bedrooms depends on the size of the dwelling, she explained.
(In the plans some rooms shown as double-bedrooms have smaller areas than rooms of 9.3 sq. metres, described as offices.)
Sleight of hand?
But, speaking after Ms Owen’s presentation, Cllr Dyer would have none of it and told councillors: “This is sleight of hand pure and simple. We know that those offices upstairs (Ed. designated as ‘studies’ in the plans) will be used as bedrooms.”
During her presentation, Ms Owen said that TTC did not have a specific policy for housing mix and therefore Persimmon Homes had taken input from a range of documents; the District 2008 Housing Needs Assessment, the Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment, the 2011 census and informal advice from the District’s Housing Team.
Cllr Dyer took Ms Owen to task over her description of Policies in the TNP, as ‘recommendations’. “Any change of housing policy, including specific numbers of houses, would be up to us to address in the Neighbourhood Plan, not for anyone else to drive a train through Neighbourhood polices. The Local Plan has not yet gone to examination nor determined,” he added.
Why does all this matter?
This ‘confusion’ over room designations matters because the developer is claiming the scheme will provide:
16 x 2 bedroom houses, 64% of the proposed scheme
8 x 3 bedroom houses, 32% of the proposed scheme
1 x 4 bedroom house, 4% of the proposed scheme
Whereas, Thame Town Council’s method of calculation, assuming the ‘offices’ may be used as bedrooms, means the scheme will yield:
22 x 3-bedroom properties
3 x 4-bedroom properties
Zero x 2-bedroom properties
Councillors voted to recommend refusal of the application.
To read the full background to this application, click on the Report link at Agenda item 6, Land off Thame Park Road Thame P18S2069FULHERE
First Eleven push Tring Park all the way – ANOTHER much-improved performance from Thame Town Cricket Club’s firsh eleven couldn’t prevent defeat at home to Tring Park last Saturday. After losing a couple of early wickets Mike Beard (33) and Gami Kanishka (65) laid a platform, but when both fell after lunch the lower order crumbled; only Richie Straughan passed 20 as Thame reached 200 all out. The Thame spin trio of Mike Higgs, Andy Russell and Hassam Mushtaq then demonstrated the quality that saw Thame promoted the previous year. All bowled with excellent control and wickets were shared around as Tring were reduced to 150-7.However, a couple of chances went down and Tring overseas David Brent saw his side home with a fine half century. Thame travel to Banbury next weekend.
Hassam Mushtaq
Seconds undone by East Oxford Firsts in top-of-the-table clash
THE second XI faced a top-of-the-table clash against East Oxford. Batting first, Thame got off to a steady start with runs coming from Christian Warwick (27) and skipper Matt Furness (39). However, Thame’s middle order struggled against East Oxford’s strong bowling attack, leaving them all out for 114. Thame quickly got back into the game, largely thanks to early wickets from youngster Jonathan Jelfs (3-40). Ultimately though, their total was not enough against East Oxford’s strong middle order, who won with 4 wickets in hand. Despite this loss, the 2nd XI head into their last four games focussed on securing promotion from Division 4 and host Shipton-under-Wychwood seconds this Saturday, August 11.
Thirds make it six-on-the-trot against Kimble Seconds
THAME thirds stretched their winning-run to six against a strong Kimble second eleven on Saturday (Aug 4). Kimble were soon pegged back by Will Bruce-Morgan (2-15) and Rob Tomlin (1-20). At 36-3 off 14 overs, Kimble continued to attack but John Phippen (3-36), Vim Desai (3-17) and Ian McStay (1-2) took wickets at regular intervals, supported by good catching, as they were dismissed for just 114 in 32 overs. After the break, Thame were led home at a gallop by George Patey (40*) and Justin Avery (55*), as they finished on 116 for 1, in just 20 overs, for 1 wicket. Thanks to this convincing win, Thame stay 2nd in Division 9. Next up are in-form Cumnor thirds, this Saturday, August 11, again at home.
Fourths fall to High-flying Cropredy
THAME fourths travelled to second-placed Cropredy and, despite good bowling from Mark Fellowes (2-27) and Neil Smith (2-51), Cropredy’s Noonan (105*) helped them reach an imposing target of 261. Fellowes (26) and Smith (29) made some good progress and Rob Kenny (35*) batted superbly to earn important batting points for Thame, before eventually being all out for 151.They next travel to play Shipton-under-Wychwood fourths this Saturday, August 11.
Softball tourament for woment and girls this Sunday
THAME’S female players are preparing to host the club’s first Softball Festival this Sunday, August 12, at Church Meadow between 12 midday and 4pm. Entry is free and all players are welcome, including beginners. Just go here to register :-http://www.thamecricket.org.uk/womens-softball-cricket-festival-sign-up-now/
SOUTH Oxfordshire District Housing is exploring whether to take over on-street parking enforcement in the district, which includes Thame.
SODC is contacting Oxfordshire County Council (the highways authority), which is responsible for formally applying for powers and then delegating civil parking enforcement responsibilities, to find out whether this could be possible.
SODC said in a press release today: “We are also looking at the business case involved in taking over enforcement, including costs and projected income.
“Thames Valley Police is currently responsible for this across most of South Oxfordshire, apart from a small number of spaces in Wallingford, which we deal with, and some areas of Henley, which the town council is responsible for.”
Cllr Caroline Newton, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “We’re very mindful that problems do exist with on-street parking in some areas of South Oxfordshire. That’s why we’re taking this issue seriously, not only by liaising with the police and partner organisations, but by exploring whether we should apply to take over responsibility for enforcement.
“We’re working on this and there’s lots to be considered. In the meantime, I’d like to encourage motorists to park responsibly and help to keep our towns and villages moving.”
SODC needs to seek formal agreement from Oxfordshire County Council to apply to the Department of Transport to delegate civil parking enforcement powers to our council. If the county council agrees and SODC decides to take over responsibility, a full review will need to be carried out to look at existing car parking orders and yellow lines.
NOTE: Thame Town Council is keen to work with businesses based in the town centre to develop adequate parking opportunities for their staff so that the streets and car parks in the town centre are left free for people coming to access the shops and services in the town. It wants local businesses to encourage their staff to explore the options. Visit: LINK HERE to Thame Town Council’s website for more information.
THE residents of a Hamlet in the parish of Thame, have won the support of Thame Town Council in opposing a housing development which if it went ahead, would mean that the tiny village of Moreton would have grown by 20% in just over three years – more than the 15% limit for larger villages in the district.
CAPTION AMENDED: Image courtesy of Google Maps – The edge of the field on left of image is where Lucy Developments want to build seven houses
When is ‘infill’ not infill?
At Tuesday’s meeting (July 31) of the full council, representatives of the residents of the village of Moreton, described how 68% of villages polled were either against the proposal for seven dwellings on land north of Moreton Road, Moreton, or would accept a development but only with major alterations. Moreton resident, Ken Burch, told the committee: “At first, the developers seemed decent people, asking to meet us before progressing the plan. Then, when the plan came in, it seemed there was a lot that had been brought up remained unanswered. The way the community consultation comments were presented seemed skewed in favour and so many of the residents felt unhappy. As a result we carried out our own poll.
Speaking on behalf of the developer, Giles Brockbank of Hunter Page Planning Ltd, told councilors that the proposed development did constitute ‘infill’ as it would be surrounded on three sides by other properties. However, Moreton resident, Tina Fegent, representing those residents who are totally against the plans, said her understanding of the definition of infill was ‘The filling of a small gap in an otherwise built up frontage or on other sites within settlements where the site is closely surrounded by buildings’. “This site is not that,” she said.
The other main objections by the 36 residents who voted for No Developmentat all were a lack of public transport serving the village, causing future residents to be reliant on a car, the lack of infrastructure like a school, a pub/shop, poor, unsafe and isolated footpath and cycle path to Thame, and poor access roads to neighbouring villages.
The layout and design of the development, described by Mr Brockbank as:..”a bespoke scheme that complements the village”, was, in Ms Fegent’s words: “..a small housing estate with mock farmyards and barns, that appears to attempt to disguise a collection of new buildings. Overall, the sit is overbuilt and not in keeping with the village.”
‘The country needs more houses’
Comments made by the 19 Moreton residents who accepted the plan as given , included the statement that ‘Moreton should take its share’. They were also keen to ‘support local farmers’ who, they said, ‘do a lot to enhance the environment’.
“Farmers are having to diversify to survive or sell land to retire” was one comment.
Most of the group who voted to accept the proposal but with major alterations, wanted Plot One to go, believing it ‘overshadows the entrance to the village’, and wanted to stick to the original plan for five houses and not seven. If the seven were allowed, added to the seven new houses already built in the last few years, this would mean a 20% increase in the number of dwellings in the village – when SODC’s policy is for 15% growth ‘in the larger villages’. “So, why should Moreton take more?” asked the villagers.
Parking
Parking, already a problem in Moreton, would become even more of a problem, if this proposal were allowed to go ahead, believed some of the residents. “The road in front of the site is too narrow for parking,” explained Ken Burch, on behalf of Moreton residents. “The developers say they exceed the OCC requirement and provide three extra visitor spaces. Ten yof the 25 spaces are carports. There are no garden stores so the car ports will be used for mowers and bikes. Residents rely on cars and most homes with 4/5 bedrooms will have 3+ cars.
“You do the maths (to councillors) and tell me this will work!” he added.
Developer’s representative’s response
Giles Brockbank, speaking on behalf of the developer Lucy Developments, said that, in response to villagers’ comments via a public exhibition and consultation, three further parking spaces had been added to the two per house, and that Plot One had been moved away from the boundary to ‘negate any over-looking’ and a change in materials had been proposed making it more in keeping with the local area. Hedging and ‘rustic detail’ had been added he said, and trees kept to fit with the rest of village. He argued that the density of the proposal was within what is allowed by local planning policy and that the Thame Neighbourhood Plan did allow for sites to come forward for Moreton.
Mr Brockbank also stated that ‘Government policy allowed for smaller sites of at least 10%, on no more than on hectare’. With regard to the Conservation area, he said that the lay-out allowed for views through to the area and included hedgerows. “We have positively engaged with the community,” he concluded, “and have produced a bespoke scheme that compliments the village.”
Councillors’ questions
Cllr Helena Fickling (herself an Architect), asked Mr Brockbank why Plot One had no windows on the front elevation and looked like the back of the house. He replied that the plot had been re-orientated in response to villagers’ comments, the overall mass reduced by removing the car port. “If people feel strongly, we could look at it again,” he said. Cllr Linda Emery suggested that Plot one should go and the site used for a children’s playground.
Cllr Mike Dyer said: “This site is NOT infill and should be thrown out! There are no services in the village and no infrastructure. We cannot afford this bias towards larger houses when Moreton needs smaller homes.” Cllr Fickling added: “Maintaining the scale and pattern of surrounding areas is a tenet of the Neighbourhood Plan. It’s a rural setting; a site up for change from agriculture to residential. Large, open spaces are important to the pattern of the village.”
Cllr Nigel Champken Woods concluded the discussion with: “This is not NYMYism. Clearly 60% of villagers would be happy to see a development with some changes. If it were to come back before us with more work, we would think about it but not this before us now.”
You can see the full Planning application P18/S2260/FUL HERE
THAME Arts and Literature Festival has broken its own box office record, as tickets sell like hot cakes on the very first day of going on sale!
Poet, Wendy Cope
Celebrating its ninth year, TAL has taken an amazing 800 bookings on its first day with all online tickets, to see historian and TV presenter Lucy Worsley who will be giving a glimpse into the acrimonious divorce of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, through the eyes of their daughter, Lady Mary – sold out by the end of the day. However, due to this huge demand to see the author there will be a few tickets available from the Town Hall box office on sale from September 1, 2018. Seats for the ever-popular Rumsey’s Tea Concert sold out in just 20 minutes of being released online.
Yvonne Maxwell, TAL Director said: “We were overwhelmed at the reaction to this year’s programme. To take over 800 bookings on the first day is nothing short of amazing. We are particularly delighted that, having worked to pull it together for over eight months, the programme has been so well received; it seems that Thame is as excited as we are. Every year, we have a broad range of subjects and fascinating speakers and we would encourage everyone to try the Festival Challenge: go to one thing you know nothing about! You never know, it might just blow your mind.”
Around 3,500 people are expected to attend over 38 events between October 18 – 21, 2018, which will include history, politics, fiction, a playwriting workshop, poetry, memoir, art and music, held at venues across Thame.
Other highlights include The Last British Dambuster’ George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, MBE DFM, in conversation with leading Bomber Command historian Dr Robert Owen, on his role in one of World War II’s most famous missions – Operation Chastise’; the Thame Remembers Project – locating the graves of every man listed on the Thame War Memorial; Oxford author Julie Summers unearths the uninvited guests of our famous historic houses during the Second World War; poet Wendy Cope MBE with her new collection, Anecdotal Evidence; controversial QC Geoffrey Robertson shares his colourful court room life; in the centenary year of women’s suffrage, Oxford author Jane Robinson – Hearts and Minds – the Untold Story of the Great Pilgrimage and How Women won the Vote delivers the Bookshop Founder’s Lecture discussing how that recognition was achieved; international best-selling crime writer Sophie Hannah on writing Hercule Poirot’s next chapter in The Mystery of The Three Quarters, while Hugh Fraser, who played Captain Hastings in ITV’s Agatha Christie’s Poirot, shares many anecdotes and talks about the fourth installment of his assassin Rina Walker thriller series, Stealth.
The Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer, John Crace – I, Maybot: The Rise and Fall looks at the Prime Minister’s turbulent first year in power, while opera lovers are invited to pack a picnic supper and enjoy a spectacular ‘Glyndebarn’ gala evening with a complementary glass of Prosecco listening to the wonderful Music of Morse, sung by Oxford’s sublime Opera Anywhere company.
SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet has agreed a timetable for progressing its Local Plan which will be submitted for public examination in March 2019.
The Local Plan will identify where housing, retail and employment land should go as well as the infrastructure required to support this growth, such as new roads, schools, health services and sewerage. The proposed policies in the plan will be used to help make decisions on planning applications in the district.
The council intends to reassess each of the main housing sites currently proposed in the Plan, along with previously-considered locations that were dismissed but were ‘reasonable alternatives’ and some additional sites (None of these sites are in Thame, though there is provision for additional housing on ‘infill’ and ‘redevelopment’ sites see below).
‘The Strategy for Thame’
Quote: “We will support development proposals which:
Are in accordance with the Thame Neighbourhood DevelopmentPlan (currently being reviewed and amended)
Maintain the quality of placeiii)
Strengthen commerce in the town centre and identify sites suitable for future retail, leisure and community uses
Support housing and employment uses above shops
Improve the attraction of Thame for visitors and businesses
Improve accessibility, car parking, pedestrian and cycle links
Support schemes which enhance the quality of the town’senvironment
Support schemes which improve the stock of existing commercial buildings and the environment of the employment areas
Allow housing on suitable infill and redevelopment sites
Support the schools, health and other service providers meet theiraccommodation needs, in particular the amalgamation of thesecondary school onto a single site
Provide for an appropriate housing mix which responds to the needs of the housing market
The timetable states that councillors will make a decision in December on which of the 15 available major housing sites will be included in the plan, following completion of the necessary assessment and filtering work.
The final plan, outlining how the district should develop until 2033, will then be published and residents will have a chance to comment on its technical ‘soundness’ early next year. It will then be submitted for public examination by an independent planning inspector later in 2019.
POLICE ALERT – THERE has been an increase in thefts and attempted thefts from vans in the Watlington and Chinnor areas over the last two days.
Image courtsey of vanvault.co.uk (for illustrative purposes only)
Between 12.30am on 02/08 and 7am on 02/08 the front driver’s side quarter light window of a Citroen Berlingo was smashed. Several power tools were stolen from the vehicle, which was parked on Oak End Way, Chinnor.
Between 11.30pm on 01/08 and 7.30am on 02/08 a Peugeot Bipper van was broken into whilst it was parked in Ash Close, Watlington. Offender(s) made a hole in the lock of the rear doors to gain entry before stealing a bottle of perfume.
Between 6.30pm on 01/08 and 7am on 02/08 the front driver’s side quarter light window of a Renault Trafic van was smashed. No entry was gained to the vehicle, which was parked in Oakley Road, Chinnor.
Between 12.15am on 01/08 and 12.30am on 02/08 the lock on the rear doors of a vehicle were drilled, whilst it was parked on Brookside, Watlington. Nothing was stolen.
Please consider the following when leaving your vehicle:
• Remove everything from your vehicle including removable stereos and sat-navs. Remove tools if you are able to do so. Do not leave anything in the glove
compartment or on display.
• Close all windows and the sunroof, if you have one.
• Lock your vehicle and use your alarms if you have them.
• If you do see any persons or vehicles acting suspicious in the area then call 101 (non-emergency) and 999 in an emergency.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the Police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online . No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
AFTER months of pothole misery for locals and visitors to Thame, Oxfordshire County Council is to start resurfacing work in Park Street, on Monday, August 6.
The works will include footway resurfacing, replacing damaged kerbs and ironwork, cleaning the existing drainage system, resurfacing of the existing carriageway and the replacement of road markings. The work is expected to last for six days, subject to any bad weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances arising during construction. The work will be carried out in the following phases:
Phase 1 – Monday 6 August to Friday 10 August, 7am to 4pm – full road closure to enable the southern footway to be resurfaced, kerb repairs and footway drainage to be carried out.
Phase 2 – Monday 13 August, 7am to 7pm – full road closure to enable the carriageway resurfacing work to be carried out and replacement road markings.
A signed diversion route will be put in place during the above closures. Park Street will be fully reopened to traffic outside of these periods. There will be no access for buses for the duration of Phase 1 and 2.
Alternative parking arrangements for residents
During phase 2, Park Street will need to be clear of all vehicles to enable the resurfacing work to be carried out. If you usually park your vehicle on Park Street, arrangements have been made with John Hampden County Primary School to use their car park during this period. The car park will be available from 2pm on Sunday 12 August to 9am on Tuesday 14 August. Please ensure all vehicles are moved prior to 7am on 13 August to enable works to start promptly.
Staff will be positioned at either end of the closure to direct traffic and pedestrians to ensure the safety of the public and workforce. Every effort will be made to accommodate vehicular access to properties and business within and adjacent to the works but this may be subject to some delay depending on the activities being carried out on site.
UPDATE –
ARRIVA The Shires have advised that they will not be serving the East Street – Wenman Road loop (280 / X8 buses) for the duration of the above works in Park Street (6/8 to 13/8). Buses will wait their time at the Town Hall or Co-op.
The X8 route goes up East Street stopping at Orchard Close and Churchill Crescent, then via Howland Road, Wenman Road, Thame Park Road & back down Park Street. The 40 goes up East Street (inc Health Centre), Kings Road, Queens Road and out to Towersey (same route on return).
FOLLOWING the recent extension of the280/X8 bus routes around Thame, Oxfordshire County Council have installed four new permanent bus stops along the route.
The bus stop in the image used for illustrative purposes only, is in fact only for the 40 bus
The new stops are at Churchill Crescent, Orchard Close and the Health Centre in East Street. The old bus stop sign that was outside the Community Hospital was removed last week and taken to Thame Museum. Its replacement is next to the bench that was already in situ outside the Health Centre.
FOR CLARIFICATION:
The X8 route goes up East Street stopping at Orchard Close and Churchill Crescent, then via Howland Road, Wenman Road, Thame Park Road & back down Park Street. The 40 goes up East Street (inc Health Centre), Kings Road, Queens Road and out to Towersey (same route on return).
PLEASE NOTE:
ARRIVA The Shires have advised that they will not be serving the East Street – Wenman Road loop (280 / X8 buses) for the duration of the Highways works in Park Street (6/8 to 13/8). Buses will wait their time at the Town Hall or Co-op.
