OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL which owns the Pied Pedaller building in North Street, Thame, has effectively given itself planning permission to demolish it and build a new, two storey library – despite the town council’s disapproval of the design.
The county council is able to circumnavigate the normal route for planning applications, via the district council, under the rules, known as “Deemed permission OCC, Regulation 3”.
Thame Town Council’s Planning committee has twice rejected the design, described by Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods as “horrendous” and as including too much glass in the frontage making it look out of keeping with the street scene.
He accused the applicant (OCC) of trying to fool the committee by submitting a pen and ink drawing, which he said, made it look as though the design had been softened.
“We want a library, not a greenhouse!” he said.
The full details of the planning decision can be seen here.
Photo: Artist’s impression of the new library, to be built on the site of the Pied Pedaller toy shop in North Street.
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