20/06/12… New scheme for Cattlemarket must be ‘viable, sustainable’

THAME’S Cattlemarket Action Group (CMAG) has vowed to support the town council’s request that the district council finances an assessment of a ‘viable’ mixed-use, community scheme for the site.

At a meeting of Thame Town Council last night (19/06), Jenny Richardson, speaking on behalf of CMAG, said that her organisation supported Thame Town Council?s proposed request to South Oxfordshire District Council to finance the assessment of a viable, mixed use scheme on the Cattlemarket and car park site in North Street, Thame.

Thame Cattlemarket site is currently the focus of a planning application from Sainsbury’s for a supermarket.

PART OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

The town council’s proposal, put forward by the Town Mayor, Nigel Champken Woods, will also ask that South Oxfordshire District Council agree that the assessment be considered as a priority in working in partnership with the Thame Town Council in its development of the Neighbourhood Plan, and that it be completed by March 2014.

Jenny Richardson told the council: “CMAG would like to offer support, in whatever way possible, to further this assessment, with an aim to ensure that the Cattlemarket site is used for the best possible benefit to the people of Thame, and that a significant part of the site is developed for community uses.

“We recognise,” she said, “that any plan for the Cattlemarket site must be viable, proportionate, sustainable and support the long term viability of the town, from an economic, social and environmental point of view. We are committed to maintaining an open mind as to how our aims can be achieved.

MARY PORTAS

“There has been a lot of focus on town centres recently, including the Mary Portas Review of High Streets, dated December 2011, which has contributed to the localism debate and current government policy,” continued Jenny. “We would like to see the Cattlemarket site, which is publicly owned and the last major development opportunity in the centre of the town, contribute to and support the unique proposition that Thame offers, not only to local residents but also to people who come from outside town.

“CMAG will continue to consult its members and interested parties, who have to date, provided a wealth of detailed feedback on their community group needs and aspirations. Working together with both Thame Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, we believe that we can help make our fantastic town even better.”

The council voted to accept the Mayor’s Motion to request SODC to finance such an assessment.