Planning decision ‘ignored the bigger picture’ say Tesco supporters
On 15/07/2016 At 1:40 am
Category : Missed a ThameNews story?, More News, Thame news
Responses : 7 Comments
A GROUP of Thame residents who supported a proposal for a large, edge-of-town Tesco in Thame, have today responded to the news that planning permission has been refused by South Oxfordshire District Council.
The group’s representative, Rachel Lester, today said: “In our view the decision made was not looking to the long-term future of the town and its actual residents, but more the kudos of its shopkeepers and for their benefit rather than considering the bigger, all round picture of those that actually live here and have daily
needs, both in their shopping requirements and job opportunities, and for its growing population.
“The current supermarkets in the town won’t meet demands and the roads into the town centre won’t meet demands.”
She added: “We agree Thame is a unique town which is why it should be kept so – by maintaining the centre as it is with no more supermarket development within – by building a supermarket on the outer edge would help preserve it as it is and detract any increase in traffic congestion and parking issues which will simply be to its detriment, especially if the Council wishes to build on its attractiveness as a ‘jewel’ for tourists – instead of its ‘heart being saved’ it will simply choke itself!”
Whilst recognising that the development might reduce car journeys out of Thame, and would offer more choice to shoppers, the Planning Officer had, he said, decided that on balance, it (the supermarket) would have a significantly adverse effect on the ‘vibrancy and vitality’ of Thame by diverting trade gained from linked shopping away from the town centre.
In recommending refusal, he also cited a net loss of employment space from the site at Kingsmeade Business Park, currently occupied by DAF and other businesses.
Cllr Helena Fickling, speaking for Thame Town Council who objected to the plan, said that Thame is a ‘real’ town with a low vacancy rate compared to other, similar towns, and a flourishing weekly market, whose traders had seen other towns’ local shops’ trade taken by supermarkets. She referred to a report by Carter Jonas which had reported that the proposal was for twice the amount of Convenience retail space than was needed to meet an identified need.
Sue Gilbert, representing Thame Residents Associations, referred to a petition with over 3,500 signatures, including the majority of retailers in the town, who were against the plan, seeing it as a threat to the town centre shops and the market. She said that Tesco had ‘under-stated’ its projected Turnover and that its evidence to try to demonstrate a need was ‘inconsistant’.
Chris Lindop, who runs a kitchen design shop in the town, spoke of how he had looked at other towns in the A40 corridor to set up his business, and that Thame had stood out above the others. “Thame has a cohesive town centre, full occupancy and, you can come any day of the week and it is busy; people are moving around making pedestrian trips; there is a buzz about the place. Thame is historic and distinctive.”
Peggy Long, who used to be the town Traffic Warden, told the planning committee: “Just because we use a supermarket elsewhere, doesn’t mean we don’t use shops iin the town centre and not everyone wants to shop on line. There are not enough parking places in the town. a Tesco would relieve parking in the town.
“Please give Thame the chance to provide something for all pockets,” she pleaded.
Cllr David Dodds criticised the Planning Officer’s report for omitting to mention the fact that the proposed plan did not include any staff parking, and that it had ignored the ‘great inconvenience’ and ‘disturbance’ to the residents of Cotmore Gardens and Towersey Gardens.
“Thame town centre is a jewel that has won many awards recently,” he said, “It is precious and we must protect it!”
Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green also referred to the town centre’s ‘Rising Star’ Award in the Great British High Street competition, and that it had been voted the second best place to live in Britain. “Our High Street depends on independent retailers,” she said. “The town has great transport links and anyone who wants to visit another big supermarket can do so by car or bus. Yes, we will be getting more and more housing and we will need another supermarket but not one of this size.
“The Thame Neighbourhood Plan will soon be going through a review and it will be up to the residents to decide when and if we need another supermarket. Above all, we must ensure the vitality of the town centre.”
Cllr David Nimmo Smith said that Henley had a Tesco and it continued to thrive, so he didn’t go along with the recommendation in that regard, but he said: “This is not the right site. It will mean the loss of traditional employment which will not help wealth creation.”
Cllr Bland however said that parking had NOT been made easier in Henley, and that the town had lost three butchers, a greengrocers and other shops and that its town centre did suffer for a long time. “Your other three smaller supermarkets are doing well. We cannot put a nail in the coffin of this beautiful town,” he concluded.
The Planning committee voted unanimously to reject the plan, which included a fuel station.
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Waitrose is very poorly stocked we needed another supermarket just so they improved. Thame has lost its heart to hairdressers and Charity shops, I gave up shopping there after woolworths closed.
Mr A the same argument could be made about the clothing offer in Thame but does that mean we have to have a Primark ? Most of us are happy to accept the limitations of the retail offer here and hop on the bus to find what we want if it isn’t available locally. As far as I know Redline offer a free bus to Tesco Aylesbury and it’s also a simple matter to shop online for groceries. Banging on endlessly about Tesco after the decision has been made seems a bit of a waste of time. As in a democracy, that’s it, debate and discussion over, decision made, now let’s move on to the next item on the agenda please mister chairman.
I live backing onto the proposed site. Yes it might have been a little on the large side, but as has been with 1500 homes being built in Thame and more in Chinnor, people need to understand that Thame isn’t going to be a small quiet rural town for much longer. The roads will become even more congested, the schools will be over subscribed and you have to wait even longer for a doctor’s appointment. It’s not just a Thame issue, but the lack of infrastructure and facilities development to support housing is very poor. Thame’s got a great variety of shops but for a lot of people in Thame shopping it the local butchers and Deli’s is just way to expensive. Thame has a large proportion of very well paid residents, who can afford to use these lovely shops. But some can’t and it’s about giving them somewhere to shop. The sainsburys and CoOp in town are tiny and how a person can be expected to survive using just these is beyond me. I would love the supermarket to be built in the town centre, but there is no room. As the Article reads Thame will need more supermarket retail in the future and there will have to be a compromise on what and where it should be built.
Howie B after any decisions both sides are allowed to have their say in a democracy. If Thame is to be a progressive and forward thinking town then all side and views need to be considered and looked at in an impartial way.
Well said, Lee. When my next council tax bill arrives, I won’t feel quite so aggrieved about it. Someone at TTC and SODC does actually appear to care about Thame. Stand by for all the sour grapes from the losing side, that is to be expected. Why can’t they just accept the decision and leave us alone?
Bad decision. Thame is dying, you only have to drive around housing estates like 7 Acres, Lashlake, and the roads around Upper School. All pot holed, paths deteriated with overgrown weeds. Aylesbury Road, with it’s vicious potholes. Which greets most people coming to Thame, has to be one of the worst in the county
High street foot fall is very poor compared to places like Wendover, Tring, Berkhamsted.
Go ahead, Keep Thame small and insular. Even the fire service can’t be manned 24/7.
Why not bring back early closing on Wednesday too, and no shops open on Sunday.
Thame would be a lovely peaceful place then..!!
So if Lee Jones thinks it was bad the Dominos moved in, although the Planners had no say in that, what about Fat Face ,a modern clothes outlet with a rude name, what next in this sleepy market town, Lidl ?
You need to understand that the people that want Tesco, also like the. Town centre but are intelligent enough to understand that as Thame continues to grow with new houses being built all around and even near the town ( the old Thame Service Station site & Goodson Yard) then the services and infra structure need to grow with it, Surgeries, but more so car parking. Come on Thame TC , let’s have parking down on the old Haddenham road & bridge & generate yourself some income as a long stay pay & display car park to free up town centre parking for shoppers .
Think about it !
If this happens we are going to end up like Aylesbury. It’s the start of the end. It’s bad enough that the planners aloud a dominos in our lovely town.
Aylesburybused to be a nice market town and now look at it. It you lot want the facilities of a larger town then why don’t you go and live in one rather than trying to change something that is beautiful. We live here because of its small town feel we don’t want a large town.
Yes there are more houses being built but don’t come and live here if you don’t want small countryside living. Go to Milton Keynes, Aylesbury etc.
Change is not always forward thinking but detrimental to a lot more people and living standards that are already very good. The council have failed in allowing extra housing to be built as it has and are just being gready with the section agreement payments and the extra income from taxes.
I have only lived here for 15 years and have seen changes during this time. I love this little market town and its people and do you know what you can call me small minded and I don’t even care. Sometimes less is more.