02/06/11…New proposal to move Thame Cattlemarket

THAME Town Council has recommended approval of a replacement planning application to move Thame cattlemarket to the Thame show ground in Kingsey Road – despite some reservations!

The new plan is very similar to a previously approved planning application which runs out in a few weeks, except that the applicant, R G Williams (TCM) Ltd, propose to move the entrance a few metres along the Kingsey Road.

The application has however, attracted over 100 letters and on-line representations from local residents and others, which can be viewed on SODC’s website at:
http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P11/E0622 where details of the application can be viewed.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Thame Town Council’s Planning & Environment committee, Cllr Nigel Champken Woods said that he felt the plan still does not address problems that could arise because of the access, and that he feared the development would add to existing problems for vehicles leaving Lea Park.

Cllr Mike Welply was concerned that foul water drainage into currently unadopted drains on Lea Park, from the Cattlemarket could cause problems.

Cllr David Dodds said that he thought the associated buildings would be “decidedly more visible in the landscape” than the previous plan.

Cllr Helena Fickling pointed out that a Bund was included in the plan, but that there appeared to be no provision for pedestrians and cyclists to the access.

Councillors were also concerned that there was insufficient parking for the regular big sheep sales and other larger events.

The plan will next go to SODC’s planning committee shortly which will decide whether to approve the plan or not.

Sainsbury’s are currently consulting the public before submitting a plan for a supermarket on the site of the current Cattlemarket in North Street.