27/01/12….Councillors support Business plan for Cattlemarket

A Business plan showing possible alternative, sustainable development on the Thame Cattlemarket site, other than a supermarket, has the support of Thame Town Councillors.

At a recent meeting (14/01) between the Cattlemarket Action Group, Cmag, town councillors and Tibbalds who are helping draw up a Thame Town Plan, it was revealed that the independent Tibbalds feedback exercise had demonstrated that residents did not want Sainsbury?s, and that a large community space was required.

It was agreed that if a feasibility study for mixed use development on the Cattle Market site and a viable business plan for a new community facility could be produced for the site, it would really help to support what the Town Plan is able to say about the site.

Hilary Satchwell, Tibbalds Urban Design (in the Chair), pointed out that the existing Local Plan did not allow for a supermarket on the Cattle Market site, and the retail study said there was no need for one, adding that evidence nonetheless was helpful.

The meeting notes state that it was recognised that SODC (Ed. who own the site and currently lease it to The Cattle market operators) would be looking for the best financial return, and if a viable business plan was available it might show SODC that there were other options. If Sainsbury?s did not get planning approval then they (SODC) would have to look at other approaches for the site. (Ed. The lease runs out in 16 years time)

The ten Councillors present, including the Mayor David Bretherton, were very keen that a feasibility study/business plan should be produced and that this (or an outline of it) should ideally fit in with the timescales of the Town Plan. It was suggested that the matter should be placed on the January 31, Culture, Leisure & Recreation Committee agenda and the Cllr Bretherton said that he would discuss it with the clerk on her return from holiday. (Ed. To date, it is not on the agenda)