Plans for a news indoor sports complex rejected

THAME Town Council has said that it will not support a planning application for an indoor sports and leisure complex, including squash courts and a gym, proposed at the site of a former carpet warehouse on the industrial estate in Wenman Road, Thame.

The Wenman Road site where a news sports & Leisure centre is proposed

Much of the evidence of need presented in support of new indoor facility like this ‘is anecdotal’, said councillors and that no details had been submitted regarding highways or transport matters. They were concerned that commercial vehicles would be maneuvering within the shared car park area with people of varied ages and mobility.

What IS needed

What Thame DOES need, said councillors, is a Climbing Wall, and other councillors said that they had been lobbied by enthusiasts for a Boxing Club in the town, boxing facilities being part of the proposal for this site. Cllr Paul Cowell said that he thought the town did need another gym because that at the Thame Leisure Centre was too expensive.

He raised the possibility that the area could be left with an empty building that might eventually come up for housing, and that some advice about what might be more acceptable should be given to the applicant. Councillors heard that there had been three or four other offers for the building, some to sub-divide the space, but that the building’s owner had not been keen. This application stated that an electrical installation company would use at least part of the office space on the site.

Thame jobs

Maintaining the ‘integrity’ of the Neighbourhood Plan is vital, suggested Cllr Bob Austin, in that the town must not lose employment sites, though an updated Employment Needs Analysis was needed. He added though; “There is a job for anyone who needs a job in Thame, apparently.”

Cllr Mike Deacock said that although ‘there are holes in the application’ it should not be discounted completely. Although the planning committee as a whole voted to recommend refusal of the application, last year’s Mayor of Thame, Tom Wyse, voted against the recommendation.

More Planning News

FOLLOWING representation from a residient, Thame Town Council will not support an application to enlarge a block of apartments which the developer has claimed is not vacant – despite the fact that none of the flats had been sold.

Speaking at Thame Town Council’s Planning & Environment committee, Mr Allan Ruxton and Mrs Patricia Ruxton said that if this new application, for the erection of a second floor extension to the existing two storey block of flats, comprising 2 x 2 bedroom and 2 x 1 bedroom flats at Milton House, Station Road, were to be approved, it would result in four balconies overlooking their property and neighbouring properties.

Neighbours not consulted

Mrs Ruxton had alerted nearby residents to the proposals as they had not been included in the consultation and said that they were ‘horrified’. Mrs Ruxton had written to the District Council to raise her concerns and offered a copy of her letter to the Town Council as it had not yet been published on the District Council’s website.

The planning committee concluded that the proposals, if approved, would be visually overbearing; there would be loss of privacy and daylight; there would be light pollution; the design was poor and not in keeping with the character of the area and the height would be greater than the current tree level. The comittee also concluded that parking provision was inadequate and would result in on-street parking in an area that was already busy and congested, and that the increased traffic would have an adverse impact on vehicle and pedestrian safety.

It was noted at the meeting that if the additional flats were built, the consequential increased number could be subject to the 40% affordable housing policy and CIL (Community Infrastructue Levy) contributions.

The full planning application can be seen HERE

New women’s wear shop for Thame?

THE women’s wear clothing brand, Mint Velvet, is applying for planning permission to make alterations to 5, Upper High Street, (formerly Green’s Furnishings). The plan has the support of Thame Town Council, provided there are no objections from the District Conservation Officer.

A planning application for a restaurant at the site had already been approved by South Oxfordshire District Council. See LINK