Planning ‘Flood Gates’ Fear For Thame

DEVELOPERS who failed to get planning consent to demolish an old house in Thame and build eight flats in its place, are to appeal to the Secretary of State.
South Oxfordshire District Council refused Rectory Homes permission to demolish 16 Priest End, Thame, which is in a Conservation Area, and build the new properties, late last year. However, neighbours in Priest End fear that, if the Appeal is upheld, the flood gates could be opened to replace any large house within the area of the High Street, with blocks of flats.
Coupled with a concern that limited parking provision has been made in the proposal, neighbours also fear a potentially massive increase in vehicular movement to their present access and that their properties will be overlooked and subject to noise and pollution from the proposed car park.
In a recent letter to the district council, they stated: “This site is within the conservation area and so any new building should retain the character of its surroundings. There are listed buildings nearby i.e. The Tythe Barn, Striblehills, 54 High Street,the Prebendal and of course St Mary?s Church. The view across the field to the church is of particular importance.
?We feel that it is a great shame to demolish an attractive, well-built house and replace it with a mediocre development. The only people who will gain anything from this proposal, should it be granted, would appear to be the developers.?
Anyone wishing to make written representation about the appeal, can write to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/04b (Kite Wing), Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN