22/12/11…. Detailed plans approved for new cattle market

WITH over 250 letters submitted from neighbours and representations from others concerned with plans for a new Thame cattle market, the detailed plans have now been approved by the district council.

The go-ahead for the move from the existing cattle market in North Street to the new site on Thame Show Ground however is not at all a certainty in the near future, as it will depend on Sainsbury’s getting planning permission to build a super store on the existing site.

If Sainsbury’s was to be granted planning permission, uncertain because it goes against current planning policy for the Cattlemarket site, the supermarket giant will buy the remainder of the lease from the Cattlemarket owners thus releasing funds for the market to move to the new site.

Several provisos have been stipulated by SODC regarding drainage, site access and landscaping. The full details of the plans and the detailed planning permission can be viewed HERE

NB The current ‘Local Plan’ states that redevelopment of the cattle market site should be a ?mixed use? development and excludes food supermarkets.

The Local Plan will eventually be replaced by The Core Strategy currently in Draft form and being reviewed by a Planning Inspector. This states on page 79: “The study recommends the site (Thame Cattlemarket) should be developed as mixed use. It did not identify a need for a large food store and we would not support such a
proposal on this site.”

Sainsbury’s submission is that a large supermarket would bring benefits to the town. See LINK